Serious question about diabetes?

What could be the cause of death when you have diabetes 2? Serious question!?

• my father died on september 25th 2011, and he had diabetes. Just to make sure you understood how serious it was here is what he got from the diabetes: he got diagnosed when I was six, in 2002, in 2003 he got blind temporarily blind, in 2004 he started dialyses 3 times a week, his vision got worse over the years and in 2010 he was 98 % blind. He got heart problems and a pacemaker in november 2010, and in january he had a toe amputation also do to diabetes, he could feel his feet very well, an couldn't see them!! But the thing I can't understand is that, after this toe amputation, he of course was ill, and the long hospital visits, really hurt him. But he really seemed to get better, there was no sign of him being weaker and weaker! Writing this down is really hard for me, so I would really autopsy serious answers, from people with experience, After his passing there was no autopsy because the police knew that there wasn't any crime involved. Now the thing is, and my question is, what did he die from, was it his heart who just couldn't handle all the medicine, the thought of all the medicine he took scares, me! He died while sleeping, so is this the case was it the heart or what could it be else? Thank You

• Answer:

  I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I'm a second year resident (doctor). Diabetes can cause problems with many organ systems - If he died suddenly, as it sounds like he died in his sleep, the most likely cause would be a heart attack or a stroke. Because of hte toe amputation, he may not have been as mobile as before and he may developed a deep vein clot in his legs that could have gone to his lungs - something called a pulmonary embolism - but that possibility is much less likely. Most like heart issue or stroke. Again, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I hope you find the support you need during this trying time. Take care of yourself.