Diabetes increases the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. Some patients with diabetes have subtle or atypical symptoms, and heart disease may not always present as classic chest pain.
At Heart and Vascular Specialists, we help patients with diabetes understand their cardiovascular risk and create a prevention and treatment plan focused on long-term heart and vascular health.
Symptoms patients may notice
- Chest pressure, discomfort, indigestion-like symptoms, or atypical pain
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Fatigue, reduced stamina, or unexplained weakness
- Swelling in the feet or ankles
- Leg pain with walking, non-healing wounds, or poor circulation symptoms
How we evaluate this condition
- Cardiovascular risk assessment, blood pressure review, cholesterol review, A1C level, Insulin resistance assessment, and medication evaluation
- EKG, Echocardiogram, stress testing, vascular testing, or rhythm monitoring when appropriate
- Assessment for current and future risk for coronary artery disease, heart failure, PAD, kidney-related risk, and stroke risk
Treatment and care options
- Blood pressure and cholesterol optimization
- Medication coordination for diabetes therapies with cardiovascular and kidney benefit when appropriate
- Lifestyle planning, smoking cessation, nutrition counseling, and weight-risk management
- Antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy only when medically appropriate based on individualized risk
When to seek urgent care
Patients with diabetes should call 911 for chest pressure, severe shortness of breath, fainting, stroke symptoms, or sudden severe weakness even if symptoms are not classic.