It is common for people who have diabetes to sometimes just focus on monitoring their blood sugar or staying on top of their medications and diet. But understanding how hyperglycemia—too much sugar in the blood—damages the vascular system and puts you at risk for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and other vascular diseases is vitally important to know.

How does diabetes cause damage to arteries?

The damage to the arteries and blood vessels is evident in people afflicted with PAD. It is easy to understand why. Plaque builds up in the arteries of the extremities, which causes a reduction in blood flow. This decrease in blood circulation can result in stroke, heart disease, or tissue death for diabetic patients who have non-healing wounds or neuropathy. In addition to this, the vessels in the eyes can be affected due to the damaging effects of high blood sugar. Diabetics must be on alert for changes in their vision because blindness can be the result of vascular disease in the eyes.

Diabetics can also have complications with the renal system, which can result in renal failure or dialysis.

Having diabetes increases your risk for vascular disease; therefore, it is important to have a vascular surgeon monitoring you for risks and disease—especially because your risk for developing PAD is so elevated, yet you may not experience the symptoms of leg pain when walking due to the lack of sensation that is commonly associated with diabetic neuropathy.

How should diabetics monitor PAD?

Having diabetes means you must be on alert for vascular diseases and complications that are extremely likely to develop. 

The changes that a person’s body undergoes when they have Type 2 diabetes make them more susceptible to developing PAD. Approximately 30% of Type 2 diabetics have PAD. That number is presumed to be higher, especially since the early symptoms of PAD commonly go undetected while neuropathy can lead to a delay in diagnosing PAD. Type 2 diabetes can take a significant toll on a person’s body. The physiological changes that result in insulin resistance and high blood sugar compromise the health of your vascular system.

What are the complications of Type 2 diabetes and PAD?

Diabetes can negatively affect your vessels on a cellular level; these changes cause the vessels to weaken. Diabetics acquire PAD because of the weakening of the blood vessels. Another complication that may arise from Type 2 diabetes is when platelets overreact and clump together, which can lead to dangerous blot clots and PAD.

Having diabetes may also make you prone to developing chronic wounds. It is crucial for diabetics to protect their feet, especially if neuropathy has led to lost sensation. Neuropathy makes it too easy to cut your foot and not even realize it, making it essential to wear protective footwear, especially outdoors. A cut on your foot could easily become infected; coupled with a compromised vascular system, a minor cut could progress to a non-healing wound.

Once skin injuries become lingering wounds this could worsen to necrosis and even limb amputation. If you have diabetes and PAD, it is imperative that you continuously monitor your feet and lower extremities for signs of infection or skin discoloration. Being vigilant about the health of your legs and feet can prevent tragic outcomes and might even save your limb.

How do I know if I have PAD?

With such a prevalence of PAD amongst diabetics, it is vital to regularly monitor yourself for signs of PAD. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor. You might need to be referred to a specialist, like Dr. David Nabi of NewportVascular.com, for non-invasive testing. These tests can make sure the blood flow to your legs is normal and healthy.

Benjamin Franklin once said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to avoiding medical catastrophes, this quote has stood the test of time. 

If you have diabetes, you need to take a self-advocate approach to your health. Having a team of specialists, including a vascular surgeon and podiatrist, will help prevent amputations or life-threatening vascular events. There are so many advances in surgeries and non-invasive vascular treatments that if you catch these problems early enough, you can maintain your quality of life.