Most serious diabetes complications develop slowly, over years, and many can be prevented or delayed. The good news is that regular checks often find early changes before you notice any symptoms. The key habits are the same across the body: keep blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol in the ranges agreed with your care team, avoid smoking, and attend routine screening.
Heart and blood vessels
Diabetes raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks, a healthy routine of movement and food you can sustain, not smoking, and taking prescribed medicines as advised all help protect the heart.
Chest pain, pressure or tightness, sudden weakness on one side, difficulty speaking or sudden severe headache are emergencies. Contact local emergency services immediately.
Kidneys
High glucose and high blood pressure can gradually damage the kidneys, usually without symptoms at first. Routine tests, typically a urine test for protein (albumin) and a blood test that estimates kidney function (eGFR), can find problems early, when treatment works best.
Eyes
Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels at the back of the eye (diabetic retinopathy). Early changes cause no symptoms, so regular eye screening is essential, even if your vision seems fine. Sudden loss of vision, new floaters or flashes of light need prompt professional attention.
Feet
Nerve damage and reduced blood flow can make feet less sensitive and slower to heal, so small problems can become serious.
- Look at your feet every day, including between the toes, or ask someone to help.
- Wash and dry them gently and keep skin moisturised, but not between the toes.
- Wear well-fitting footwear and avoid walking barefoot.
- Do not cut corns or hard skin yourself.
- Seek professional advice promptly for blisters, cuts, redness, swelling, a change in colour or temperature, numbness, or a sore that is not healing.
Make the checks routine
Ask your care team which checks you should have and how often, write the dates down, and book the next one before you leave the clinic.
Evidence & Research
- Author
- pktqu
- Published
- October 15, 2026
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Preventing diabetes problems. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems
- World Health Organization. Diabetes fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
Important: This information is for general education and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with an appropriate qualified healthcare professional about your health.