Smoking + Diabetes: Why the combination is dangerous
People with diabetes already have a higher risk of damage to their heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves and eyes. Smoking adds another layer of damage, so the two together can be particularly harmful.
1. ❤️ It increases heart-disease risk
Smoking damages the lining of blood vessels and can make arteries narrower. Diabetes can also damage blood vessels and increase the risk of plaque buildup. Together, they can substantially increase the chances of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
2. 🧠 Stroke risk can increase
Smoking promotes blood-vessel damage and can contribute to blood clots. Since diabetes itself increases stroke risk, smoking can make this risk even greater.
3. 🩸 It can make blood-sugar management harder
Nicotine can affect how the body responds to insulin. This may make blood-glucose control more difficult, particularly in people who already have diabetes.
4. 🫘 Kidneys can be affected
Diabetes is a major risk factor for kidney disease. Smoking can further impair blood flow and may contribute to the progression of kidney damage.
5. 🦶 Poor circulation can cause serious complications
Smoking reduces healthy blood flow. In someone with diabetes, poor circulation can mean cuts and wounds heal more slowly, increasing the risk of infections and other foot complications.
6. 👁️ Diabetes-related complications may worsen
Because both smoking and diabetes can damage small blood vessels, smoking may contribute to complications affecting organs such as the eyes and kidneys.
What does “up to 55% increased risk of death” mean?
This is important: 55% increased risk does not mean that 55 out of every 100 smokers with diabetes will die.
It means that, in the particular research being referred to, the risk of death among the smoking group was estimated to be as much as 55% higher relative to a comparison group. The exact increase depends on factors such as the study population, smoking amount, duration of smoking and other health conditions.
So the headline should not be interpreted as a prediction for every individual with diabetes.
🚭 The good news
Quitting smoking is beneficial even after someone has been smoking for years. For a person with diabetes, stopping tobacco use can help reduce cardiovascular risk and make overall diabetes management safer.
Bottom line:
Diabetes already puts extra stress on the body’s blood vessels. Smoking adds further damage, creating a “double threat” that can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, poor wound healing and premature death.
