Fact 4: The Connection to Diabetes
Another important fact to understand about small vessel disease is its close association with diabetes. Diabetes can cause extensive damage to blood vessels throughout the body, including the small vessels affected in SVD. This means that individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of developing small vessel disease.
The high blood sugar levels that characterize diabetes can lead to the hardening and narrowing of blood vessels. Over time, this can severely affect the small blood vessels, limiting the blood flow and leading to the symptoms of small vessel disease.
The relationship between diabetes and SVD is a two-way street. While diabetes can lead to SVD, having SVD can also increase the risk of developing diabetic complications. This relationship underscores the importance of managing diabetes effectively to prevent the development and progression of small vessel disease. (4)
