More than 30 million people suffer from circulation problems each year, and more than 100 million Americans live with diabetes or its precursor, prediabetes. These numbers stand out even more when you realize that diabetes is linked to vein conditions. One of those linked conditions is peripheral artery disease (PAD), which can turn painful and serious if left untreated.

Diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause significant health issues. People who have diabetes do not make enough insulin in their pancreas to metabolize food for energy. This causes sugars to build up in their blood and leads to complications. The two most common diabetes types are type 1 and type 2. About 10 percent of all diabetes diagnoses is Type 1 diabetes, previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, previously known as noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus, is the most common type, and many of the risk factors for this disease are almost identical to the risk factors associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

People with diabetes are at an increased risk for developing PAD, which occurs when the peripheral arteries—those that do not supply blood to the heart and brain—become narrowed by an accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances, a condition known as atherosclerosis. People with diabetes are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, which can progress to PAD.

Untreated PAD and uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart attack, stroke, and limb amputations. It is important to understand the connection between diabetes and PAD and what you can do to lower your risk for both conditions.

PAD develops when fatty deposits build up on the walls of your blood vessels, causing them to narrow. This condition commonly affects people with Type 2 diabetes (more on that later), who also tend to develop high cholesterol and heart disease.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, PAD affects millions of Americans, but the bigger problem is that many people with PAD don’t know they have it because there are few signs and symptoms. Even when there are signs and symptoms, it’s easy to overlook them or attribute them to something else.

Possible warning signs of PAD include:

• Pain in your calves while walking or exercising
• Numbness and/or tingling in your lower legs or feet
• Sores on your legs and feet that heal slowly or won’t heal at all

Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that involve problems with blood sugar. Glucose (sugar) is your body’s most readily available source of energy for the cells, and it’s your brain’s main source of fuel.

Essentially, when you have diabetes, your body can’t properly use and store the sugar you eat, which leaves this sugar to accumulate in your blood, and it can lead to various health complications if left untreated.

Chronic diabetes conditions include Type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune condition) and Type 2 diabetes (also called adult-onset diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is the type associated with PAD.

The relationship between diabetes and PAD is multifaceted, but the general concept is that people with diabetes have a higher risk of atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque on artery walls. Plaque consists of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that restrict blood flow through your arteries.

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of PAD, and because people with diabetes are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, they’re more likely to develop PAD as well.

Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, as noted, are almost identical to the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis and PAD, and include:

• Obesity
• Inactivity
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Family history

A common complication that may develop for a person with diabetes and also a person with PAD are sores that don’t heal properly. It is worth noting that non-healing sores associated with diabetes and PAD are slow to heal in both diseases. This may suggest that one disease exacerbates the other.

In addition, people with diabetes who also have PAD are at increased risk for developing critical limb ischemia (CLI), which is a severe form of PAD that can lead to amputation. Also, if left untreated, these two diseases increase your risk for heart attack, stroke and reduced quality of life.

The good news when considering the diabetes and PAD connection is that making lifestyle changes to help with one disease can also lower your risk factors for developing the other. Lifestyle changes can slow progression of PAD and relieve the serious complications associated with diabetes. Lowering your risk for developing PAD and diabetes may be achieved with the following lifestyle changes:

• Losing weight
• Exercising
• Quitting smoking
• Lowering blood pressure
• Lowering cholesterol

Before you start a diet or exercise program, always consult with your doctor.

Although diabetes and PAD share risk factors and many of the same lifestyle changes are recommended to lower these risks, those already diagnosed with diabetes should take a few extra precautions.

For people with diabetes, controlling insulin levels is critical to avoiding complications like PAD. If diet and exercise are not working to control insulin levels, it is important to make an appointment with an endocrinologist.

Also, if you notice leg pain when walking or develop diabetic foot ulcers that are not healing, it is important to see your doctor right away to avoid amputation due to diabetes and/or to rule out PAD.

It’s important to remember that since these diseases overlap in both risk factors, such as those to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, risk reduction in both diseases is based on healthy lifestyle choices and prevention.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you have peripheral arterial disease and other circulation conditions, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more information.