Diabetes increases a patient’s risk for heart disease, stroke, and circulation problems. Diabetes can also damage the heart if it’s poorly managed over the years, which in turn reduces circulation of blood and oxygen. Smoking adds to the risk of developing all of the health conditions that diabetes predisposes a patient to. In some cases, smoking can double the likelihood of these conditions, as well as double the chances of suffering from kidney problems. It’s no secret that smoking hurts your lungs and your heart. It lowers the amount of oxygen that gets to your organs, raises your bad cholesterol, and raises your blood pressure. All of these can raise your risk of a heart attack or stroke. For type 2 diabetics, the major cause of death is cardiovascular disease, specifically heart attacks and strokes. Stopping smoking is not only important for overall health and wellness but for diabetics it reduces the risk of developing major diabetes-related complications. Many diabetics don’t stop smoking because of concerns over weight gain. Some studies show that the benefits of giving up smoking as a diabetic outweigh any negative effects caused by weight gain.
