Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease — people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than someone without diabetes, and women with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease. The risk of stroke is two and one-half times higher in people with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas either cannot produce or adequately utilize insulin, the hormone that breaks down digested sugars.

Diabetes may be:

Type 1: also known as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the insulin-producing cells (called beta cells) of the pancreas are damaged. People with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin, so glucose cannot get into the body’s cells for use as energy. This causes blood glucose to rise. People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin injections to control their blood glucose.(Diabetes glossary)

Type 2: also known as adult onset diabetes, occurs when the insulin produced is either not enough or doesn’t work properly in the body. When there is not enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose cannot get into the body’s cells for use as energy. This causes blood glucose to rise. (Diabetes glossary)

Another condition, called impaired glucose tolerance, occurs when a person’s body will not allow insulin to work properly in the body, even if the person takes very high daily doses of insulin. This condition can occur when a person is overweight, and it often improves when the person loses weight. (Diabetes glossary) Insulin resistence is one element of metabolic syndrome

For more information

• Metabolic Syndrome
• Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
• Diabetes and the Foods You Eat (Health Information Library)
• Carbohydrades and Diabetes (Health Information Library)

For more information on a heart-healthy diet plan, please contact the Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation Program at 216.444-9353 (or toll-free at 800/223-2273, extension 49353) and we can schedule a nutrition consultation - or - use our Remote Cardiac Nutrition Counseling Services.