Diabetes can have serious health implications that affect life expectancy. The impact depends on various factors, such as how soon a person receives a diagnosis and treatment, and how well they and their healthcare team manage the condition.
Other influential factors include the severity and progression of symptoms, any complications, and how the body responds to treatment.
When they get a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, many people ask how it will affect the length of their life. Diabetes is complex, with many variables and possible complications, and each person is different. It is hard to know how the condition will affect an individual’s life expectancy.
However, it appears likely that, with an early diagnosis and effective management, many people can expect to live as long as those without diabetes and to have a good quality of life.
This article will look at the factors that influence a person with type 2 diabetes’ life expectancy and how to maximize it.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition with many variables. At the time of diagnosis, the doctor will not be able to tell how the condition will affect a person’s life expectancy.
A 2010 report from the United Kingdom estimated that type 2 diabetes reduced life expectancy by up to 10 years, while type 1 diabetes reduced it by at least 20 years, on average.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014 and in the United States, the average life expectancy at birth for males was
CDC research also showed that
The CDC estimated that
It is important to note that the CDC figures do not distinguish between types of diabetes. Also, they do not indicate the effect that the condition has on a person’s lifespan.
A 2012 Canadian study calculated the effects of diabetes on life expectancy at
In 2015, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that the following could reduce the risk of death linked to type 2 diabetes:
- screening
- medications
- better awareness
The European Heart Journal published, in 2008, a study that estimated outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes and the effects of intervention methods, such as lifestyle changes and medications.
The range of estimated life expectancies is wide, depending on a person’s age, lifestyle factors, and treatments.
At that time, for example:
- A 55-year-old male with type 2 diabetes could expect to live for another 13.2–21.1 years, while the general expectancy would be another 24.7 years.
- A 75-year-old male with the disease might expect to live for another 4.3–9.6 years, compared with the general expectancy of another 10 years.
These figures and findings reflect:
- how varied life expectancy is for people with diabetes
- how this estimation can change, depending on medical intervention
For example, a person who does not manage their glucose levels effectively, who smokes, and who does not exercise likely has a shorter life expectancy than a person with a healthful, active lifestyle, who does not smoke and who maintains stable blood glucose levels.
In 2017, the American Diabetes Association noted in a report on standards of care that diabetes is a “complex, chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk-reduction strategies beyond glycemic control.”
While new medications and screening techniques continue to improve diagnostics and treatment, a move toward personalized strategies is also underway. These can all contribute to a better outlook for people with diabetes.
A wide range of health and treatment factors affect diabetes’ impact.
Anything that worsens diabetes or increases the risk of developing it is likely to also shorten the life expectancy of a person with the disease.
Common risk factors that can decrease life expectancy in people with diabetes include:
- being overweight or having obesity, particularly if it involves excess fat in the abdomen
- having a diet that is low in fiber and high in sugar, fat, and salt
- smoking
- engaging in low levels of physical activity
- getting little sleep
- having high levels of stress
The following health issues can have the same effect:
- cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and a history of stroke
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- high cholesterol levels
- infections
- high blood pressure
- ulcer or gastrointestinal conditions
In addition, the longer a person has diabetes, the more likely it is to reduce life expectancy.
Likewise, the younger a person is when they receive the diagnosis, the higher the risk that diabetes-linked complications will shorten their lifespan.
However, making healthful lifestyle changes can go a long way toward reversing diabetes in its early stages and preventing a person from developing it altogether.
Here, find out more about prediabetes, which is the earliest stage of the disease and often reversible.
Impact of cardiovascular disease
High blood sugar levels put stress on the body and can damage the nerves and small blood vessels, decreasing circulation.
This means that the heart has to work harder to deliver blood to the body’s tissues, especially those furthest away, such as in the feet and hands.
The increased workload damages the heart’s own blood vessels. This can cause the heart to weaken and eventually fail.
A lack of blood reaching the body’s other organs and tissues starves them of oxygen and nutrition, which can cause them to die. Doctors refer to this as necrosis.
The American Heart Association (AHA) estimate that adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to experience fatal heart disease than those without diabetes.
Among people aged 65 or older with the disease, the AHA report that:
- around
68 percent will die from heart disease - some 16 percent will die as the result of a stroke
Recommendations for increasing life expectancy in people with diabetes are similar to management and prevention tips.
1. Eating healthfully
A person should limit the consumption of foods that contain simple sugars, such as juices and candies, as these can cause blood sugar spikes.
Also, it is better to eat complex, rather than simple, carbohydrates. These are in whole grains and legumes, for example.
People should also limit their alcohol intake. A doctor will advise on diet and alcohol consumption.
2. Exercising
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommend that adults get at least
3. Losing weight
In people with excess weight, losing 5–10 percent can significantly reduce the impact of diabetes.
4. Monitoring and treating blood sugar levels
Tracking these levels allows a person to identify peaks, and they can then address the cause. Also, medications such as metformin can help stabilize blood sugar levels, but only if a person takes them as the doctor prescribes.
5. Following the treatment plan
This includes attending regular screenings and following the doctor’s instructions about lifestyle strategies and medications.
Blood glucose monitoring kits are available for purchase online.
6. Managing cardiovascular risks
Many health conditions can increase the effects of diabetes, such as kidney and heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death among people with diabetes.
For people with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, 2018 guidelines recommend that doctors prescribe medications for these issues as part of an overall diabetes treatment plan.
7. Preventing infections
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing infections, such as influenza, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.
An infection that is relatively minor in a person without diabetes can become life-threatening in a person with the disease.
Also, skin wounds can take longer to heal, and if they become ulcerated, amputation may be necessary. This can reduce a person’s life expectancy, according to the research charity Diabetes UK.
To prevent these complications:
- practice good hygiene, including hand-washing
- get routine vaccinations to protect against the flu and other illnesses
- check the feet and the rest of the body regularly for wounds that may need attention
- seek medical help early for infections, including chest infections
8. Reducing stress
Stress stimulates the release of hormones that can raise blood sugar and interfere with insulin regulation. Yoga, meditation, and speaking with a mental health professional or counselor can help combat stress.
9. Other healthful lifestyle choices
These include getting enough sleep and refraining from smoking.
10. Learning about diabetes
A 2016 meta-analysis that included data from over 13,000 people found that those who engaged in self-management diabetes plans appeared to have longer life expectancies than those who did not.
Learning about the condition can equip people to manage their diabetes more effectively than if they are solely dependent on their healthcare provider.
In a self-management education program, a person learns the skills they need to manage their condition. This can improve quality of life, reduce costs, and reduce the risk of complications, according to the
Anyone interested should ask a doctor about programs in their area.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications.
However, by adopting effective management strategies, there is a good chance that many people with type 2 diabetes can expect to live as long as a person without the condition.
A person should learn as much as possible about the condition, follow their treatment plan, maintain an active lifestyle and healthful diet, refrain from smoking, and receive prompt treatment for complications, such as infections and cardiovascular disease.
It can also be helpful to connect with others who understand what living with type 2 diabetes is like. T2D Healthline is a free app that provides support through one-on-one conversations and live group discussions. Download the app for iPhone or Android.