John Muir Health logo
  • Patients
    About MyChart
    Locating Patients
    Medicare
    New Patients
    Payment & Insurance
    Physician Open Payments Notice
    Preparing for Surgery
    Pre-Register for a Visit
    Registration & Forms
    Request a Health Record
    Security Center
    Video Visits
    Why Choose Us
  • Services
    Addiction Medicine
    Behavioral Health
    Cancer
    Cardiovascular Services
    Digestive Health
    Emergency Services
    Lab Services
    Medical Imaging
    Neurosciences
    Orthopedics
    Pediatrics
    Physical Rehabilitation
    Pregnancy & New Parent
    Primary Care
    Urgent Care
    ALL SERVICES
  • Education
    Classes, Screenings & Support Groups
    Clinical Trials
    Conditions & Treatments
    Health & Wellness
  • Health Professionals
    Careers
    Clinical Research
    Family Medicine Residency Program
    John Muir Medical Group
    Medical Staff
    Nursing
    Pharmacy Residency Program
    Resources
    Training & Education
  • About Us
    Annual Reports
    Awards & Recognition
    Board of Directors
    Community Commitment
    Employers, Brokers, & Health Plans
    Executive Team
    Make a Gift
    Mission & Vision
    Partnerships
    Media Center
MyChart Login
  • Find a location
  • Find a doctor
  • Pay a bill
  • Find a job
✕

Latest information on COVID-19 >

Diabetes and Heart Disease

  1. Home
  2. Health Education
  3. Health & Wellness
  4. Risk Factors for Heart Disease
  5. Diabetes and Heart Disease
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol (Lipids)
  • Diabetes and Heart Disease
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Other Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Diabetes damages the cardiovascular system by producing abnormal cholesterol and lipid levels that may speed up arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Diabetes increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease five times in women and two times in men.

In diabetics, the warning signs of heart disease may be absent or atypical, so prevention and careful screening are extremely important. Minimizing diabetes as a risk factor requires ongoing medical guidance, careful control of blood sugar levels, and elimination of other risk factors.

Diabetes Basics

A hormone called insulin allows glucose (sugar) to enter the body's cells and energize the body. In type 1 diabetes, insulin production by the pancreas is reduced or ceases. To compensate, insulin injections are required. Type 2 diabetes, which is more common, involves both a deficiency of insulin and an inability of the cells to respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced.

You can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through a healthy lifestyle. Changing your diet, increasing your level of physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight can help you can stay healthier longer and reduce your risk of diabetes.

Diabetes Resources

For information, education, exercise program information, and support, contact the Diabetes Center at the John Muir Medical Center-Walnut Creek at (925) 941-5076.

Services
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease Wellness and Prevention
Resources
  • American Diabetes Association
Hi! I'm here to help answer your questions.
Chat
ABOUT
About Us
Board of Directors
Executive Team
Awards & Recognition
Partnerships
Community Commitment
Employers, Brokers & Health Plans
NEWS & PRESS
Media Center
Annual Reports
GET INVOLVED
Careers
Volunteer
Make a Gift
CONTACT
Email Us
PRIVACY
Patient Privacy
Website Privacy
Terms of Use
Security Center
Follow Us

© John Muir Health All rights reserved.

John Muir Health is accredited by The Joint Commission. 

We use cookies to measure website traffic and personalize content for a better browsing experience. By using this website, you consent to our cookies. For more details, see our Website Privacy Policy.