Diabetes is a chronic illness which is not just about controlling blood sugars. Diabetes affects almost very organ system in the body. Over time persistent high glucose can cause irreversible damage to vital organs like heart kidneys and brain. Diabetes causes same damage to blood vessels like heart attack and hence it is called coronary artery disease equivalent. A person who has diabetes has same risk of having a heart attack as a person who has had a coronary artery disease. Diabetes can also cause damage to blood vessels in the extremities and the eyes leading to blindness and foot infections requiring amputation. The good news is that these complications can be prevented with early intervention and keeping diabetes in a well controlled state.