Preventing Cardiovascular Risk with Balanced Sugar Maintaining balanced blood sugar is not just important for preventing diabetes; it’s also a key factor in protecting heart health. Chronic high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, promote inflammation, and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Understanding the connection between glucose levels and heart health can help you take proactive steps to reduce your risk. How High Blood Sugar Affects the Heart Excess glucose in the bloodstream can damage the inner lining of arteries (endothelium), making them stiffer and less elastic. This can increase blood pressure and reduce blood flow, putting extra strain on the heart. Over time, this damage may contribute to the buildup of fatty plaques, leading to atherosclerosis. Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Risk Insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, often leads to higher blood...