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Message: <blockquote data-quote="smcc" data-source="post: 52522" data-attributes="member: 321">mk_steveThere are two different types of blood vessel disease in diabetes. The first is a macro-angiopathy which affects large and medium-sized arteries and is the result of cholesterol plaques leading to narrowing of these vessels. This type of disease is not limited to diabetics and is very common in smokers. The severity can be assessed by angiography ( X-rays of the arteries), and can be reduced by lowering cholesterol levels. Angioplasty (stretching of the narrowed part of the artery)  or by-pass is sometimes possible for these blockages.The second is micro-angiopathy, affecting the small arteries of the extremities. The reduced blood supply means that small breaks in the skin are likely to become infected, and take much longer to heal. No X-ray will show this variety of blood vessel disease, and the only thing which might make a difference is tight control of blood glucose. It sounds as if you will need to work hard on this.All the best in your time of trial.</blockquote>

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