- MI is twice as common in men and three times in women with diabetes, compared to
people without diabetes.
- Silent MI
- Higher risk for a second infarction
Complication: Stroke
- People with diabetes have twice the risk of developing cerebrovascular disease.
- There is a greater likelihood of death from cerebrovascular disease.
- Recovery is slower with high BS.
- Hypertension plays a role
Complication: Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Diabetes-induced arteriosclerosis
- 2-3 times higher than in nondiabetic people
- S & S: diminished peripheral pulses and intermittent claudication (pain in the buttock,
thigh, or calf during walking) - Can lead to leg ulcers and gangrene and amputation.
Management of Macrovascualr changes
- Prevention and treatment of risk factors for atherosclerosis.
- obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (exercise, stop smoking).
- Control of blood glucose levels may reduce triglyceride concentrations and can
significantly reduce the incidence of complications.
Microvascular Complications
- Microcirculation
- Eyes
- Kidneys
- Nerves
Complication: Diabetic Retinopathy
- Leading cause of blindness in people ages 20 to 74 in US
- Almost all patients with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of patients with type 2
diabetes have some degree of retinopathy after 20 years