If you are not familiar with the term, diabetes macrovascular complications, please allow us to paint you a clear picture so you are completely aware of the complications that can pop up within diabetes. There are many different types of complications that can arise for men, women and children living with diabetes and the more you understand about these complications the better chance you have to lower these risks in your life. The term macrovascular refers to diseases and or complications that affect large blood vessels within the body. These complications most commonly reduce the blood flow and this lack of blood flow can lead to long term damage on the organs affected.

Info Diabetes Macrovascular Complications:

Now that we have an idea as to what macrovascular means, we can go further into detail about this diabetic complication. In order to be at high risk for any one of the macrovascular complications you not only have to have diabetes but you also must have consistently high blood glucose levels as well. People who live for long periods of time with their blood glucose levels too high or even out of control are only increasing their risk of contracting serious complications such as this. We should also note here that smokers increase their risk that much further and as a diabetic patient quitting should be at the top of your to-do list.

Heart disease is by far the most common of the diabetes macrovascular complications to date. Atherosclerosis is a condition that deals with the hardening of the arteries. This macrovascular condition limits the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart and this is where the pain of a heart attack is felt. Initially the symptoms of heart disease will only present themselves while you are engaging in physical activity but as the condition progresses it will become present on a more consistent basis; no activity necessary. As your arteries become more and more blocked or even completely blocked heart attacks and heart failure will become the result. It is important to pay close attention to your health because even in the initial stages of heart disease, fatal symptoms can result.

Further things you need to know about Diabetes Macrovascular Complications:

Did you know that the risk in people with diabetes for a stroke is increased threefold? A stroke is a part of the macrovascular complications we are discussing here and it can be a fatal complication if you aren’t aware of the symptoms. Just as mentioned above when an artery becomes blocked it reduces the oxygen that reaches your essential organs and this can create a stroke just as well as it can create a heart attack. Strokes greatly differ in terms of symptoms to look for. The symptoms greatly rely on the size of the affected area and the location of the affected area. Symptoms can include:

• Paralysis of one limb or one side of the body
• Seizures
• Memory loss
• Speech limitations
• Personality changes
• Coma (in extreme cases)

Macrovascular complications also offer a more general array of symptoms because this category of disease includes blood vessel blockage of all types, not just heart disease. Pain in the lower legs is a very common symptom that diabetics often ignore. This pain can easily be mistaken for leg cramps and even pulled muscles but if you have diabetes even the smallest recurring pain should be reported to your physician as a precaution.

Now that you have a clear picture as to what macrovascular complications can entail, let’s discuss the treatment and prevention options. First and foremost, the best way to lessen if not eliminate the risk of complications associated with your diabetes is to always keep your blood glucose levels in check. The more common and frequently these levels become too high or sustain at high levels the higher your complication risk becomes. If your doctor believes you may be at a higher risk than most for macrovascular complications he or she may prescribe you with a daily dosage of aspirin to help combat the natural progression that may occur.

Aspirin has been known to help prevent heart disease and stroke and a daily regiment may be what you need to help keep your risks as low as possible. Lastly, if you have high blood pressure this can also be a contributing factor and one that needs to be placed back under control in order to ensure beneficial health in your future. There are many ways to bring your blood pressure back down to normal and acceptable levels but the quickest way to do this is definitely through prescription medications. Your physician can help devise the best overall treatment plan for you to make sure that you are not at the top of the risk chart in terms of diabetic complications.

If you become more aware of the symptoms and warning signs you and your doctor can help maintain your diabetes without having to deal with the onset of additional complications.

Diabetes macrovascular complications are unfortunately quite common today.