Complications of Diabetes in United States
Complications of Diabetes in the United States Heart Disease and Stroke In 2004, heart disease was noted on 68 percent of diabetes-related death certificates among people ages 65 years or older. In 2004, stroke was noted on 16 percent of diabetes-related death certificates among people ages 65 years or older. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes. The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes. Hypertension In 2005–2008, of adults ages 20 years or older with self-reported diabetes, 67 percent had blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or used prescription medications for hypertension. Blindness and Eye Problems Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20–74 years. In 2005–2008, 4.2 million—28.5 percent—people with diabetes ages 40 years or older had diabetic retinopathy, and of these, 655,000—4.4 perce