Nutrition Information

Diabetes and Atherosclerotic Heart Disease - An Overview of Risks

by Hratch L Karamanoukian, MD and Pierre Aoukar, MD
Posted: February 23

Ten percent of adult Americans are diabetic. Eighty percent of diabetic deaths are related to complications from atherosclerotic disease.

According to the Framingham Study, people with diabetes are four times more likely to have additional cardiovascular risk factors than people without diabetes.

Diabetes accelerates the natural process of atherosclerosis. When diabetics are autopised, they are found to have more coronary artery disease than non diabetics. As a matter of fact, the pattern of atherosclerotic disease is more diffuse in diabetics, affecting the entire length of the vessels with wall thickening and calcification.

Serious efforts should be made to reduce all risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients.

Reference:
Excerpt from the book: Everything Is Bad For Your Heart: The A to Z Guide, Hratch L Karamanoukian, MD and Pierre Aoukar, MD. Magalhaes Scientific Press

Date of Article Publication:
in press

Web Site: http://www.diagnosisheart.com