Diabetes Statistics

11/20/15

Here are some startling statistics about diabetes:

• Diabetes nearly doubles the risk for heart attack and for death from heart disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of early death among people with diabetes. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely than people without diabetes to die of heart disease or experience a stroke.
     
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
  • In diabetic kidney disease, cells and blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, affecting the organs’ ability to filter out waste. Waste builds up in your blood instead of being excreted. In some cases this can lead to kidney failure.
     
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among working-age adults
  • High blood glucose and high blood pressure cause small blood vessels to swell and leak liquid into the retina of the eye, blurring the vision and sometimes leading to blindness

Although these facts are worrisome, there are ways to prevent complications by managing diabetes care. For example:

• For kidneys, once a year, get a urine test to check for protein. Also, at least once a year, get a blood test to check for creatinine, a waste product healthy kidneys remove from the body.
• For eyes, see an eye doctor once a year for a complete eye exam that includes using drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils.
• For heart health, get a blood test to check your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.

There are ways to take care of diabetes, prevent diabetes, and manage diabetes. These steps are incredibly important for the management and healthy living of diabetic individuals! For more information about living with diabetes, check out: Living with Diabetes. 

Also check out our website by clicking here for more information about our Diabetes Awareness Campaign. 

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