The cardiovascular system helps regulate the blood sugar levels in the body and helps transport the sugar to the parts of the body that need it. The blood carries two hormones that regulate the amount of sugar in the blood, insulin and glucagon. When there is not enough sugar in the system, glucagon triggers the release of glucose into the bloodstream. When there is too much, insulin is released to take glucose back in from the bloodstream. When sugar is present in the bloodstream, it can affect the cardiovascular system in different ways. Starting off, it can negatively affect blood vessels. According to a study done by the Medical College of Georgia, elevated levels of glucose (thats usually present in diabetes) can damage blood vessels and their ability to dilate and constrict. In the short term, it can cause high blood pressure and then eventually can narrow the blood vessels. Serious problems that can occur long term regarding high levels of glucose in the blood include hypertension and stroke. The reason behind why too much sugar can really negatively affect the heart is seen when sugars are broken down. Sugars are carbohydrates and carbs increase the amount of triglycerides in the bloodstream. Because triglycerides are basically fat, they can store and build up in arteries and other blood vessels. This ultimately narrows the vessels and causes an increase in blood pressure and the risk of getting heart disease increases.
Other Effects of sugar
The American Heart Association did a recent study on the effects of sugar on the heart of some lab animals. It was found that increased amounts of glucose in the bloodstream can actually harden the arteries and cause a condition called atherosclerosis. This condition furthers the risk of getting heart disease and having heart failure. This happens because insulin is released and spikes which damages the endothelial lining of the blood vessels and created inflammation and then hardening, This experiment confirmed its results when it was tried again but the animals were subjected with sugar blocking drug which lessened the amount of stress placed on their hearts.