Individuals with Type II diabetes have a greatly increased risk of heart disease and stroke, and when they are afflicted it is more severe. Over the past several decades, deaths from heart disease have declined among the general population, but not among diabetics.  This is particularly ominous for women: there has been a 27 % decline in deaths from heart disease among American women over the past 30 years, but a 23% increase in deaths from heart disease among diabetic women during the same period.   Cardiovascular disease is the tip of the iceberg.  When glucose builds up in blood stream, it damages blood vessels, eventually injuring the kidneys, eyes and nerves, cutting off circulation to the feet and legs.  Artery damage may occur very early in the disease - before it is detected.  The costs of treating Adult Onset Diabetes is estimated to  exceed $100 billion per year

Insulin Resistance

Patients with Type II diabetes produce insulin, but have insulin resistance, so their bodies cannot utilize it efficiently.  Consequently, the body turns out more and more insulin in an effort to keep the blood sugar normal . That works for a while, but gradually insulin producing cells in pancreas wear out and blood sugar level begin to rise until diabetes develops. 

Insulin resistance itself is associated with heart disease, but it is not detectable with simple tests that can easily be performed as part of a checkup. This sets the stage for heart disease even before blood sugar rises. About 60 million Americans are estimated to be insulin resistant

Lack of exercise, weight gain, and high fat diets each make insulin resistance worse.   However, the ability to adhere to a healthy regime of exercise and good diet produces a reduction in blood pressure, blood sugar and dress size and increase in energy and feelings of well being.