HOW DIABETES AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD) ARE STRONGLY INTERCONNECTED?

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are strongly interconnected. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart. People with diabetes are more likely to have other conditions that raise the risk for heart disease. Insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) represent two universal public health hazards, especially in advanced countries. A causal-effect relationship has been established that links IR with CVD. Diabetes is a non-communicable disease that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin and/or cannot use insulin effectively, and is diagnosed by observing raised levels of glucose in the blood. Over time, high levels of glucose in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia) can lead to the development of disabling and life-threatening health complications. Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a twofold increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) (myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease), and CVD is the principal cause of death in T2D patients. Clinical trials consistently have demonstrated that lowering HbA1c in T2D patients has no or only a modest effect on reducing cardiovascular (CV) risk. Insulin exerts many effects on the human body, including the cardiac tissue.