What is cardiovascular disease and diabetes?

Cardiovascular disease refers to problems that affect the heart and blood vessels. When you have diabetes, your risk for these conditions is much higher because elevated blood sugar can damage blood vessels over time.

This can lead to serious issues like heart attacks, strokes, or poor circulation in the legs. Many people don’t notice symptoms until a complication occurs, which makes early care especially important.

 Diabetes plays a major role in increasing risk, but other factors can also contribute, including:

• Getting older
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Being overweight
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking

These risk factors often work together, increasing the chance of heart and blood vessel problems.

Symptoms

Cardiovascular disease may develop slowly, and symptoms are not always obvious at first. When they do appear, they can include:

• Chest pain or pressure, especially during activity
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling unusually tired
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Nausea or stomach discomfort (more common in women)
• Confusion or fainting (more common in older adults)

How is it diagnosed?

Your provider will begin with a review of your health history, including any family history of heart conditions. A physical exam and routine blood work can help identify risk factors, such as high cholesterol or inflammation.

Additional tests may include:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG) to check heart rhythm
• A stress test to see how your heart works during activity
• An echocardiogram to evaluate heart structure and function

These tools help your care team understand how well your heart and blood vessels are working.

How is it treated?

Treatment often starts with simple, everyday changes that can make a big difference. These include eating a balanced diet, staying active, losing excess weight, and quitting smoking.

Medications may also be used to:

• Control blood sugar levels
• Lower blood pressure
• Improve cholesterol levels

In some cases, your provider may recommend medications to reduce the risk of blood clots. Managing both diabetes and heart health together is key to lowering long-term risk.

With consistent care, many people can significantly reduce their chances of serious complications.