Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related deaths. Diabetes is rarely coded as the primary cause of death. Diabetes affects the peripheral vascular system and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. According to the American Diabetes Association, two out of three people with diabetes die from a form of heart disease or from a stroke.Â
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2006; Virginia Center for Health Statistics, 2006; American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org/heart-disease-stroke.jsp
Percent of Deaths Due to Cardiovascular Disease among Persons with Diabetes in Virginia and U.S., 2006

Diabetes Prevention and Control Project
109 Governor St, DCDPC 10th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 864-7877 Fax Phone: (804) 864-7880
Email: Diabetes@vdh.virginia.gov