Dangers of Uncontrolled Diabetes | GoldenEraMart Health Junction

If not controlled, diabetes can put you at risk for a host of complications that can affect nearly every organ in the body. They include:

• The heart and blood vessels
• The eyes
• The kidneys
• The nerves
• The gums and teeth

Heart Disease, Blood Vessel Disease, and Diabetes

Heart disease and blood vessel disease are the biggest complications that people with uncontrolled diabetes face. In 2004, approximately 68% of diabetes-related death certificates among people aged 65 years or older were related to heart disease, with stroke being noted in 16% of death certificates.  Diabetes can also cause poor blood flow in the legs and feet (peripheral artery disease).

Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.The risk for stroke is two to four times higher .
Many studies show that controlling diabetes can prevent or stop the progression of heart and blood vessel disease.

Blood vessel damage or nerve damage (see below) may also lead to foot problems that can lead to amputations. More than 60% of leg and foot amputations not related to an injury are due to diabetes. Read more