How Does High Blood Sugar Damage Arteries?
High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is a condition in which the level of glucose in the blood is too high. Glucose is the main source of energy for our bodies and it is regulated by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. When the level of glucose in the blood rises, the pancreas releases insulin to help the cells absorb the glucose. However, when this process is disrupted, such as in diabetes, the level of glucose in the blood remains high, causing damage to the blood vessels and other organs over time. According to leading cardiovascular surgeon Dr Ramji Mehrotra , one of the most serious consequences of high blood sugar is the damage it causes to the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When the level of glucose in the blood is too high, it can cause the blood vessels to become inflamed and damaged, leading to a build-up of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. This plaque build-up can redu