What is diabetes?

Diabetes develops when your body does not produce enough insulin or your body does not effectively use the insulin that it does produce. Your body needs insulin to break down sugar for energy.

Diabetes and your heart

Diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), coronary artery disease and stroke particularly if your blood sugar levels are poorly controlled. It can result in circulation problems caused by damage to the blood vessels.

Women with diabetes are much more likely to have heart attacks, angina (chest pain) or heart surgery than men with diabetes. And, although the reasons arent fully understood, it may have something to do with the interaction of female hormones with blood sugar and insulin.

Three types of diabetes
  • Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children, teenagers, young adults and even people in their 30s. The pancreas no longer produces insulin, which the body needs to use sugar for energy. It is treated with insulin. (10% of people with diabetes have type 1)
  • Type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. It often develops in overweight adults. (90% of people with diabetes have type 2)
  • Gestational diabetes occurs in 2 to 4% of women during pregnancy and usually disappears after the birth of the baby. It can increase the risk of the mother and the baby developing diabetes later in life.
Reduce your risk

If you have diabetes, the best way to reduce the impact it can have on your health is by controlling your other risk factors.

Here's how:
  • If you are 40 or older, have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, ask your doctor to test your blood sugar levels.
  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian to learn about healthy eating. Follow: Canada's Food Guide.
  • Work closely with your healthcare team to set goals for your blood glucose and know your target levels.
  • Learn how to monitor your blood sugar and tell your doctor if you cannot keep it in control.
  • Become physically active. Work with your doctor to design a program thats right for you.
  • Visit the Canadian Diabetes Association web site for more information or contact your local branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

For more information on diabetes, please read our brochure Diabetes and you: Manage your lifestyle. Reduce your risk.

Last reviewed: October 2009.