3. Congestive Heart Failure
Heart failure usually develops over many years. It involves the heart’s (which still continues pumping) inability to pump blood effectively away from it and towards the different parts of the body. This disease comes as a result of coronary artery disease of which diabetes is a known risk factor. In coronary artery disease, high blood sugar levels damage the arterial walls causing blockages and increased blood pressure, starving the heart of oxygen and eventually damaging heart muscles or valves. This weakens the heart and causes the backing up of blood which leaks fluid to the lungs or the extremities, the legs in particular. Symptoms of CHF include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, fatigue, chest pain, weight gain, or swelling of the feet, ankles and legs.
