Type 2 diabetes, when left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications such as cardiovascular diseases. It’s worth noting that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for type 2 diabetics.
Other complications that decrease life expectancy include kidney failure. In the United States, diabetes accounts for 44% of kidney failure.
Another complication caused by type 2 diabetes is nerve damage. If the damage is in the autonomic nerves, blood pressure and heart rate will greatly be affected.
Damage to these involuntary functions of the body can reduce life expectancy. Type 2 diabetes also affects the peripheral nerves causing a loss of sensation in the feet. It can lead to wounds that take a long time to heal. This increases the risk of infections.
