diabetes and health

Untreated diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications. It's a disease that affects many of the major organs in your body. By controlling blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, people with diabetes can lower the occurrence of these complications.

Below are some examples of complications from diabetes.

Heart disease or stroke - By controlling blood pressure, those with diabetes can reduce their risk of heart disease or stroke by 33% to 50%.¹ Controlling blood sugar levels can decrease the risk of heart attacks by 27%. Improved control of cholesterol levels can also reduce heart problems by 20% to 50%.²

Vision loss - Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness among adults ages 20 to 74.³ According to the American Diabetic Association, diabetics have a 40% higher risk of developing glaucoma and a 60% higher risk of developing cataracts.⁴ Controlling blood pressure when you have diabetes can decrease the risk of these complications by 33%. Managing blood sugar levels can reduce the risk by 40%. Detecting and treating any condition that does occur can reduce vision loss by 50% to 60%.¹

Nerve disease - Controlling blood pressure when you have Diabetes can decrease the risk of nerve disease by 33%.³ Managing blood sugar levels can reduce the risk by 40%.³

Limb amputations - Learning about proper foot care and finding and treating foot problems early can reduce amputation rates by 45% to 85%.¹

Learn More About Living with Diabetes

¹Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Diabetes at a Glance
²Massachusetts Health Quality Partners, Diabetes Care for Adults: Cholesterol
(LDC-C) Good Control
³National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, National Diabetes Statistics, 2011
⁴American Diabetes Association, Eye Complications