Diabetes and Heart Disease

[LindaTX]

What is the main connection of Diabetes to Heart Disease?   Is it that Diabetes destroys the blood vessels?

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

She's fine...  77yo, had the stent three or four years ago.  She does have problems with arthritis in her knee and hip so she doesn't do much all day but as far as the heart, that's perfectly fine.  

[PikaPika88]

Thanks for the reply.  How is your mum now?

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

Pikapika88;  "your mum has stents before diagnosed diabetes or after"?  She got these well after being diagnosed.

[PikaPika88]

I can argue with the doctors now if I need one.  Thanks for the info.  

[LindaTX]

Ok, Guys...I went to a cardiologist this morning and I asked him about the stent issue and he said yes you can get stents while having diabetes.

[PikaPika88]

It was told by a GP.  I don't know why?  May be someone can explain more details.

I don't think it related to metal.  My cardio said it is fine for me to have a crown (teeth) with metal.  And I have a pacemaker.  3 leads are flowing inside the blood vessel.

RadioAstronomyObserver, your mum has stents before diagnosed diabetes or after?  

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

I'm not too sure about that statement...  My mother is diabetic and has stents.  You might be thinking about the metal vs drug eluding but then I don't know enough about these.

[LindaTX]

That's very interesting.  I know so little about the real impact of diabetes because even though I was diagnosed about 10 -12 yrs ago, I have always kept it under control with diet and exercise, so it hasn't been much of an issue until the last couple of yrs when my heart issue (a-fib) has progressed.  I'm wondering if now that my EP is pushing ablation, does that mean that diabetes will present a roadblock since an ablation is a catheter procedure. Thanks, Pika, you've given me food for thought.  It would be nice too if a Dr would chime in here but I guess that won't happen. Maybe someone else out there can offer some answers?

[PikaPika88]

I don't know the connection but I know if you've diabetes, they cannot put stent in.  Only one way to correct the blockage by bypass surgery if you're diabetes.  I would like to know can they using the balloon to open up the vessel for diabetes patients?