Tak Yuen’s life-threatening heart disease symptoms occurred suddenly, but the contributing factor to his illness—diabetes—had been taking its toll on his body for years, says George Fernaine, MD, Yuen’s cardiologist.

“People with diabetes should be evaluated by a cardiologist because they are at the highest risk of having unrecognized, undiagnosed heart disease,” says Dr. Fernaine. “With Tak, diabetes had been causing a buildup of plaque in his arteries for years.”

In New York State, 10 percent of the population have a diabetes diagnosis, and one-third of the population has prediabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Rates in Brooklyn are slightly higher, at nearly 12 percent.

NYU Langone Heart has more than 200 cardiologists across New York City and Long Island and in Florida. Visit our cardiology services or call 646-929-7800 to find a cardiologist near you.