WARNING: Diabetes sufferers TWICE as likely to have a deadly stroke

The number of type 2 diabetes sufferers experiencing a serious – and potentially deadly – heart problem is on the rise, experts have warned.

People with the condition are at an increased risk of having a heart attack, stroke or heart failure.

Patients are currently 2.4 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than the general population, twice as likely to suffer a stroke and 2.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure.

This is because when someone has diabetes, the high levels of glucose in their blood can damage the walls of their arteries, which can cause fatty deposits to develop.

If these fatty deposits rupture, it can trigger a blood clot, which could lead to heart attack or stroke.

The latest estimates by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) revealed that almost 240,000 people are diagnosed with a heart disease or stroke in England and Wales each year.

This includes 23,200  who suffer a heart attack, 31,900 people who suffer a stroke and 92,800 who develop heart failure.

The BHF is calling for more research to improve treatments for people living with heart disease and diabetes, and have joined forces with Tesco and Diabetes UK to raise awareness

“These estimates are a stark reminder that people living with diabetes are two to three times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke,” said Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation.

“The tragedy is that often the onset of these conditions can be prevented, while research could lead to new treatments.

“Our unique partnership with Tesco and Diabetes UK is enabling us to fund research in to new ways of preventing these deadly conditions and our nationwide programmes are helping people transform their lifestyle.”

In the UK, there are 4.2 million people living with type 2 diabetes.

Heart disease is thought to be the cause of death for 80 per cent of people with diabetes.

Sufferers can reduce their risk by managing their condition as well as they can.

Like diabetes, cardiovascular conditions can go undetected for years.

However, symptoms can include pain in the chest, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat and swelling of the ankles.