MARSHALL FOR YOUR HEALTH-DECEMBER 2025

How Diabetes
Affects Your Heart
If you have diabetes, it can
increase your risk of heart-related
issues, but these tips can help.
It’s no secret that managing blood sugar
levels is a key part of staying healthier
when you have diabetes. But do you
know why keeping blood sugar under
control is so important? High blood
sugar can take a toll on many parts of
the body over time, especially the heart.
In fact, people with diabetes are at a
much higher risk for heart disease and
stroke than those without the condition.
The connection between diabetes and
heart health may not seem obvious,
but understanding it can help you
make choices that protect your heart
for years to come. Here is some
insight into how diabetes can affect
your heart, as well as what you can do
to keep your heart healthier.
How Diabetes Affects Your Heart
Diabetes creates changes in your
blood vessels and circulation that may
result in:
• Blood vessel damage. High blood
sugar can injure the lining of the large
blood vessels that provide circulation
to your heart and brain. Over time,
they can become stiff or narrowed,
which makes it harder for blood to
flow freely. This increases the risk of
heart attacks and strokes.
• Weakened heart muscle. Diabetes
also causes narrowing of the small
blood vessels going directly to the heart
muscle, making it harder for the heart
to pump blood effectively. This can
lead to heart failure, which may cause
fatigue, swelling, and shortness of
breath.
• Other health issues. People with
diabetes often also have high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, or obesity.
Each of these conditions adds strain
to the heart and speeds up damage.
Because diabetes can damage nerves,
some people don’t feel classic warning
signs of heart trouble, such as chest
pain. That means heart disease may
be more advanced by the time it’s
discovered.
Steps You Can Take to Protect
Your Heart
The good news is that although
diabetes raises your risk of developing
cardiovascular issues, there’s a lot you
can do to protect your heart. Small daily
habits make a big difference, and these
tips can help:
• Keep blood sugar in range.
Monitoring your levels, following
your care plan, and taking
medications as prescribed all help
prevent damage to your blood vessels.
• See your doctor regularly. Routine
visits give your care team a chance
to check your blood pressure,
cholesterol, and kidney health and
run tests to spot heart problems early.
• Eat with your heart in mind. Fill
your plate with fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, lean proteins, and
healthy fats. Cutting back on
processed foods and sugary drinks
helps too.
• Stay active. Moving your body helps
in many ways. It improves how you
use insulin, lowers blood pressure,
helps control weight, and boosts
overall heart health. Even a daily walk
counts.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Losing
even a small amount of weight can
improve blood pressure, cholesterol,
and blood sugar levels, all of which
lighten the load on your heart.
• Quit smoking. Smoking damages
blood vessels and speeds up heart
disease. Quitting is one of the best
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