Diabetes

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are closely interconnected, with diabetes significantly increasing the risk of developing CVD. As frontline healthcare providers, nurses play a critical role in addressing this relationship, identifying at-risk individuals, and implementing strategies to prevent complications. Understanding the link between these two conditions is essential to improving patient outcomes.

Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, is a major risk factor for CVD. Chronic hyperglycemia leads to damage in blood vessels and accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries. This damage contributes to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. In fact, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop CVD compared to those without diabetes.