How Diabetes and Heart Disease Affect Your Feet Together

(With Guidance from the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association)

Diabetes and heart disease are closely linked medical conditions that often coexist. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), adults with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those without diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) even classifies cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death among people with diabetes.

While most people associate heart disease with chest pain or shortness of breath, early warning signs can sometimes appear much lower in the body — in the feet.

Understanding how diabetes and heart disease work together to affect foot health is critical for preventing serious complications.