Is Diabetes a Serious Disease? Your Cardiologist Has an Important Answer
Many people say it quite casually: "My sugar is around 300–400 mg/dl, but I don't take any medicine and I feel perfectly fine." If you or someone in your family has said something similar, this article is for you.
Dr. Nikhila Pachani, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot, is raising an important concern — people across Gujarat are not taking diabetes seriously enough, and that silence can be very dangerous.
Why "No Symptoms" Does Not Mean "No Damage"
Diabetes is a condition where the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood stays higher than it should be. A normal fasting blood sugar is generally below 100 mg/dl. When it climbs to 300–400 mg/dl and stays there — day after day — it slowly damages blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, even if you feel nothing unusual.
Dr. Pachani uses a simple, easy-to-understand example to explain this:
"Keep a sugar box open at home and see what happens."
Within hours, ants gather. Within days, moisture ruins it. Sugar left unchecked causes damage — inside your body, the process is the same, just slower and invisible.
What Organs Are at Risk?
Uncontrolled high blood sugar can silently harm:
- The heart – increasing the risk of heart attack and coronary artery disease
- The kidneys – leading to long-term kidney failure
- The eyes – causing vision loss over time
- The nerves – resulting in numbness or pain in the feet and hands
- Blood vessels – raising the risk of stroke
From a cardiologist's point of view, diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for heart disease. Many young patients who arrive with a heart attack are found to have uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes.
Once Permanent Damage Happens, Treatment Becomes Much Harder
Dr. Pachani's message is direct: once diabetes causes permanent damage to an organ, even the most advanced medical treatment cannot fully reverse it. Early action, on the other hand, can protect you for decades.
Managing diabetes does not have to be complicated. Regular blood sugar monitoring, the right medicines, a balanced diet, daily physical activity, and routine check-ups can keep it well under control.
Take the First Step Today
If you have been putting off a check-up or skipping your diabetes medicines, now is a good time to take it seriously. Talk to a qualified doctor or cardiologist about your blood sugar levels and understand your heart risk.
If you have concerns about diabetes and its effect on your heart, consider booking a consultation with a qualified cardiologist near you.