International Diabetes Center > Disease Information > Complications

Complications

High blood glucose levels over a long period of time can lead to serious health problems, as can high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Studies show that these diabetes complications can be prevented, delayed or slowed.

Diabetes complications can affect the eyes, heart, kidneys, feet and sexual function. Diabetes complications mainly are due to blood vessel damage. This damage often happens silently over several years. Sometimes, a complication of diabetes is detected first and leads to the diagnosis of diabetes.

Daily self-care, including testing blood glucose and following a food plan, is necessary to stay healthy. Regular health care provider visits (four times a year) also are very important. Check out the diabetes care schedule for routine tests and exams that are important for good health.

Two major studies have shown that keeping your A1C on target helps prevent diabetes complications or slow their progression. Just a 1 percent drop in your A1C can decrease risk for eye, kidney and nerve damage by 25 percent to 30 percent.

Learn more about diabetes complications.

• Sexual health complications
• Tips for preventing or delaying complications
• Tests for detecting complications