Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are independent risk factors for the development of many cardiovascular diseases, including valve stenosis.
his means that researchers have found strong links between diabetes and the development of heart disease.
Pre-type 2 diabetes is also known as ‘metabolic syndrome’. It is called this because the symptoms of metabolic disease are due to poor regulation of key metabolic functions like blood sugar levels or circulating fat levels.
If the control of your blood sugar levels fails, then you will develop diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is not always inevitable, though, especially if lifestyle changes can be made in time so that the body’s control of sugar levels is not lost.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is an autoimmune condition that occurs at any age. The development of type 1 diabetes is inevitable as the beta cells in your pancreas that produce a hormone called insulin are destroyed by your immune system.
This disease is linked to your genes, rather than your lifestyle, diet or advancing age. It requires treatment with insulin injections as well as careful management of blood sugar levels throughout your life through testing and diet.
However, although they are different diseases, both forms of diabetes can damage blood vessels if their effects are uncontrolled.
This damage will significantly increase your risk of developing all types of heart disease, including problems with the valves in your heart.
The knowledge that that diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases is a good reason to make lifestyle changes to increase your activity and eat less fat and sugar.
Reducing your weight will also lower your risk of developing either pre- or full type 2 diabetes. It will also help you to manage type 1 diabetes.