These are the words of Prof. Dr. Gregory Dzida, a diabetologist at the Medical University of Lublin, because diabetics are more likely to develop and die from coronary artery disease than people without diabetes. Chronically elevated blood glucose levels in diabetics damage the coronary arteries, leading to arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis in a diabetic is more severe and often leads to the onset of ischemic heart disease. Coronary artery disease in diabetic patients does not produce characteristic symptoms. Usually, coronary artery disease manifests itself with a disturbing, persistent pain behind the sternum. In diabetics, on the other hand, because of the changes in the heart itself and, above all, the nerve damage caused by diabetes, this pain reaction is absent. This is dangerous, as painless heart attacks happen. Diabetologists should cooperate with a cardiologist, because he will determine what degree of exercise the patient can do (exercise test), and a coronary study will show what the state of the cardiovascular system is. The cardiologist will find cardiac arrhythmias and monitor coronary circulation. Almost half of the patients in cardiology departments are diabetic, and often it is only here that diabetes is diagnosed. At the European Diabetes Association congress in Lisbon (September 2017), the results of a study were announced that proves that diabetic patients with cardiovascular complications live 12 years less. The congress was informed that the diabetes drug empagliiflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and reduces the risk of developing heart failure. This drug combines two specialties: diabetology and cardiology.
