Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that causes sugar, or glucose, levels to build up in the bloodstream. Insulin is the hormone that helps move the glucose from the blood into the cells where it’s converted into energy. Diabetes occurs when the body’s cells don’t respond to insulin as well as they should. When diabetes is left uncontrolled, it can lead to chronically high blood sugar levels, which can cause several unpleasant symptoms and even lead to serious complications.

The signs and symptoms of diabetes and pre-diabetes often develop slowly and you can have the condition for years without realizing it. Symptoms can include increased thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and frequent infections. Diabetes is a treatable condition, but it does greatly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. People with diabetes may have the following conditions that will contribute to their risk for developing cardiovascular disease:

1. High blood pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, has been widely recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Untreated hypertension can lead to blood vessel damage, heart attack, and kidney failure. The risk for cardiovascular disease doubles when a patient has both high blood pressure and diabetes.

2. High cholesterol and triglycerides
Diabetes patients often have unhealthy cholesterol levels. A combination of high LDL, or bad, cholesterol, low HDL, or good, cholesterol, and high triglycerides can occur in patients with premature coronary heart disease. It is also a sign of a lipid disorder that is common with insulin resistance known as atherogenic dyslipidemia, or diabetic dyslipidemia for those who have diabetes.

3. Uncontrolled blood sugars
The problems that accompany uncontrolled blood sugars can happen over time. If left untreated it can lead to heart disease or attack, stroke, kidney damage, nerve damage, eye damage, and skin problems. In this case, medications may be used to manage blood sugar levels.

4. Coronary artery disease
Also known as coronary heart disease (CHD), coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in people with diabetes. It occurs when fatty deposits, called plaques, narrow the arteries. If the plaque suddenly breaks, it can cause a heart attack. CHD can be dangerous and fatal.