Diabetes can create a ‘perfect storm’ for vascular damage: Doctor explains ‘leg attack’ risk

Diabetes is often associated with elevated blood sugar levels, but gastroenterologist Dr. Pal Manickam explains that the disease can also severely damage blood vessels throughout the body. This damage can lead to a dangerous "leg attack," making diabetes a significant threat to vascular health. In fact, diabetes poses an equivalent risk to arterial blockages as smoking, hypertension, and high blood pressure combined.

According to Dr. Prateek Kumar, persistently high blood sugar gradually injures the inner lining of blood vessels, promoting inflammation and accelerating plaque formation. As fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries, blood flow becomes restricted, elevating the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and poor circulation.

However, Dr. Kumar emphasizes that this damage is not inevitable. By effectively managing diabetes, complications can be minimized, and long-term cardiovascular health can be greatly improved, particularly when addressed early. Symptoms that may indicate blood vessels have been affected include leg pain during exercise, numbness or tingling in the feet, slow-healing wounds, cold feet, changes in skin color, vision problems, and sudden weakness or difficulty speaking.

To safeguard blood vessels, Dr. Kumar recommends a comprehensive approach that includes maintaining healthy glucose levels, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco use, and inspecting the feet daily for any changes. By addressing multiple risk factors simultaneously, individuals with diabetes can effectively protect their blood vessels and improve overall vascular health.