Most of us know that diabetes can lead to severe complications, such as blindness, kidney disease and amputations. But did you know that diabetes also greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Once you know the risk to your heart health, you can start focusing on something positive: You can take steps right now to keep your heart pumping soundly and your blood flowing smoothly.

Metabolic syndrome is marked by higher levels of glucose in the blood. That's also a sign of pre-diabetes.

Although people with pre-diabetes haven’t yet developed full-blown diabetes, they’re still at risk because studies show that many people with pre-diabetes develop the condition within 10 years.