Abstract

COMPLICATIONS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: THE IMPACT OF DIABETES, DYSLIPIDEMIA, AND METABOLIC DISORDERS

Suhel Alam and Moh. Aijaz*

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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a spectrum of complications that significantly heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it a major public health concern. This review article explores the multifaceted mechanisms linking diabetes to cardiovascular complications, particularly focusing on how chronic hyperglycemia leads to the development of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. The interplay of inflammation and oxidative stress emerges as a critical pathway in this relationship; chronic hyperglycemia generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative damage to endothelial and smooth muscle cells, contributing to endothelial dysfunction and impaired vascular health. Moreover, diabetes induces a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state characterized by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP). These inflammatory markers facilitate the progression of atherosclerosis by recruiting immune cells to the arterial walls, destabilizing plaques, and increasing the risk of thrombosis. The review also highlights microvascular complications, including diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, and their indirect contribution to cardiovascular morbidity. Additionally, the phenomenon of diabetic cardiomyopathy is discussed, emphasizing its role in heightening the risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Ultimately, this review underscores the urgent need for targeted management strategies that address both metabolic control and cardiovascular risk factors to improve health outcomes for individuals with diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disease, Atherosclerosis, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Microvascular Complications, Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.