Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body manages blood sugar (glucose), which is an important source of energy. When diabetes is present, the body either does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. As a result, blood sugar levels can rise higher than they should.

How Diabetes Affects Blood Vessels

When blood sugar stays high, it can damage the lining of blood vessels throughout the body. Healthy blood vessels are flexible and smooth, allowing blood to flow easily. When that lining becomes stiff or less responsive, blood flow is less efficient and the vascular system has to work harder.

This damage affects both large and small blood vessels. In larger vessels, diabetes increases the risk of conditions like heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. In smaller vessels, it can interfere with blood flow to the eyes, kidneys, and nerves, leading to complications that affect vision, kidney function, and sensation.

Diabetes can also make the blood more likely to clot and slow circulation, which adds strain to the vascular system. Managing blood sugar, along with other risk factors, plays an important role in protecting blood vessels and supporting long-term vascular health.