What Are the Complications of Chronic Hyperglycemia?

Managing diabetes is like walking a tightrope—it takes more than balance. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can threaten your stability, but the good news is that with the right steps, you can regain control. 

Let’s explore chronic hyperglycemia and how to protect your health.

The impact of chronic hyperglycemia and how to manage it

Understanding the complications that come with prolonged high blood sugar levels is crucial. 

Fortunately, many of these complications can be prevented or managed with the right steps. 

Let’s explore how chronic hyperglycemia can affect different parts of your body and what you can do to protect your health.

How does chronic hyperglycemia affect your heart?

• High blood sugar can damage the lining of your blood vessels, making them stiff and more prone to blockages. This can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition where fatty deposits build up inside the arteries. 
• Over time, this increases your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
• Chronic hyperglycemia is also linked to high blood pressure (hypertension). That’s because damaged blood vessels force your heart to work harder, increasing the risk of heart issues.

How to reduce your risk of heart complications 

“The best way to protect your heart is to strive for consistent blood sugar levels, exercise regularly, and eat a heart-friendly diet,” says Melanie Batchelor, MHS, RD, LDN, CDCES.

How does chronic hyperglycemia affect your kidneys?

• Your kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste from your blood. 
• When blood sugar levels are too high for too long, your kidneys have to work overtime to filter out the excess glucose. 
• Over time, this extra workload can lead to diabetes-related nephropathy, a type of kidney disease that can progress to kidney failure.

How to reduce your risk of  kidney complications 

Batchelor points out that in the early stages, kidney disease may not cause symptoms, which is why regular urine and blood tests are important for people with diabetes. 

As the condition progresses, the following symptoms may occur:

• Swelling in the legs
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating 

“To protect your kidneys, it’s important to manage blood sugar levels,” says Batchelor. “Stay hydrated, and follow a balanced diet that supports kidney health.”

How does chronic hyperglycemia affect nerve health?

Think of your nerves like electrical wires—chronic hyperglycemia can cause the insulation to wear thin, leading to disruptions in communication. 

• Diabetes-related neuropathy can be a complication of chronic hyperglycemia.
• Symptoms of neuropathy include:
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Burning 
  • Pain
• Neuropathy affects different parts of the body but is most common in the legs and feet. 
• Furthermore, chronically high blood sugars can damage the nerves and muscles in the digestive system, resulting in gastroparesis.

How to reduce your risk of nerve damage related complications

• As neuropathy progresses, it can make it harder to feel injuries, increasing the risk of infections. 
• In severe cases, wounds may not heal properly, leading to amputations. 
• Checking your feet daily and wearing comfortable, protective shoes can help prevent complications.
• Keep blood sugar levels in range, follow a healthy diet, and get lots of exercise. 

How does chronic hyperglycemia affect your vision?

• Over time, high glucose levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to a condition called diabetes-related retinopathy. 
• If left untreated, retinopathy can cause vision loss and blindness.
• Diabetes also increases the risk of cataracts and glaucoma, two other serious eye conditions. 

How to reduce your risk of  eye complications

Batchelor says the best way to protect your vision is to have regular eye exams and to strive for a glucose time-in-range (TIR) above 70% on average.

How does chronic hyperglycemia affect wound healing?

• This happens because high glucose levels affect circulation and the immune system. 
• Poor wound healing is especially dangerous for people with diabetes because it increases the risk of infections, particularly in the feet.
• Foot ulcers are a common complication and, if untreated, can lead to serious infections and even amputations. 

How to reduce your risk of issues with wound healing 

• Keep blood sugar levels stable: Managing blood sugar helps improve circulation and the immune system’s ability to effectively repair wounds.
• Maintain wound hygiene: Regularly clean wounds, keep them covered with sterile dressings, and monitor them for signs of infection.
• Promptly seek medical care: If wounds don’t heal properly or show signs of infection, consult a healthcare professional to prevent complications.

How does chronic hyperglycemia affect your immune system?

Imagine your immune system as a team of defenders—chronic hyperglycemia can weaken their response, making it harder to fend off invaders. 

• High blood sugar affects white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting bacteria and viruses. 
• This means that people with chronically high blood sugar levels are more prone to skin infections, urinary tract infections, and gum disease.

“Taking care of your immune system includes keeping blood sugar levels stable, getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and maintaining good hygiene,” says Batchelor.

How does chronic hyperglycemia affect your mental health?

• Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. 
• Studies show that chronic hyperglycemia can contribute to:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Cognitive issues like brain fog and memory problems
• Seeking support from healthcare professionals, loved ones, or diabetes support groups can make a big difference.
  • The ADA’s Behavioral Health Provider Referral Directory connects you to mental health professionals with diabetes expertise.

Take control of your health

Chronic hyperglycemia can harm your heart, nerves, and mental health. 

The good news: you can reduce your risk of complications with healthy eating, exercise, medications, and check-ups.

Some automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, like Medtronic’s 780G, can also help by adjusting insulin doses in response to high blood sugar levels, providing another layer of protection in managing diabetes.

If you’re concerned, talk to your doctor—you’re not alone, and support is available. 

Small steps today build a healthier future!

This content was made possible by Medtronic, an active partner of Beyond Type 1. Beyond Type 1 maintains editorial control over its content.