Diabetic patients who have surgery can have a test called a hemoglobin A1C done before the surgery. This test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

Patients who have type 2 diabetes and undergo cardiovascular surgery may be at a greater risk for infection and for poor healing. Good blood sugar control is essential for proper wound healing.

People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. The most common cause of heart disease in a person with type 2 diabetes is atherosclerosis, a buildup of cholesterol in blood vessels.

Diabetic patients generally need more medication pre- and post-surgery than patients who don't have diabetes.

Research shows an increased risk of heart disease in patients with diabetes. That's why many experts recommend that people with diabetes have heart disease risk factors treated as aggressively as people who have already had a heart attack.