What impact can diabetes have on my heart, eyes, and other organs?

Uncontrolled diabetes can have serious implications for various organ systems in your body.

• Cardiovascular system: Diabetes significantly increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis), and high blood pressure.

• Eyes: Diabetes can affect your eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts.

• Kidneys: Diabetes can cause kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) or kidney failure.

• Nervous system: It can also affect your nervous system, leading to diabetic neuropathy, which can cause tingling, pain, or loss of feeling in extremities like your feet.

• Infections and slow-healing sores: Diabetes increases the risk of developing infections and slow-healing sores, particularly on the feet.

References:

1. American Heart Association. (2020). "Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes." www.heart.org

2. National Eye Institute. (2020). "Diabetic Eye Disease." www.nei.nih.gov

3. National Kidney Foundation. (2019). "Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease." www.kidney.org

4. Mayo Clinic. (2021). "Diabetic neuropathy." www.mayoclinic.org

5. American Diabetes Association. (2018). "Foot Complications." www.diabetes.org