Diabetes

When you have diabetes, you’re more at risk of heart and circulatory disease. And poor circulation makes other diabetes complications worse-like problems with your eyes and feet. That’s why it’s even more important to take good care of your heart when you have diabetes.

If you have high blood sugar levels for a period of time, even slightly high, your arteries can start to get damaged, and make them more likely to develop fatty deposits (atheroma). If atheroma builds up in your coronary arteries, this can lead to a heart attack.

To help protect yourself, get your HbA1c, blood pressure and cholesterol checked at least once a year as part of your annual diabetes review. And keep as close as possible to your target HbA1c level. Other ways to help protect yourself include eating a healthy balanced diet, being physically active, managing your weight, and don’t smoke.

Cause, symptoms and treatments

Understanding type 2 diabetes-leaflet

Diabetes UK

Essential diabetic checks