In my years as a nephrologist, I work closely with…

In my years as a nephrologist, I work closely with diabetic patients every single day, and there is one fact I make sure every one of them understands clearly. If you have diabetes, a heart attack may not feel like a heart attack at all. The typical heart attack most of us know: Most people expect a heart attack to announce itself. Severe pain in the chest, often on the left side, spreading down the arm, up to the jaw or shoulder. This is the classic presentation most of us learn about, and for many patients, this is exactly how it happens. Why diabetics are different: Diabetes, over time, can damage the nerves throughout the body, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. This nerve damage doesn't only affect