Many people who have diabetes do not know that they have it, making it a serious problem. The American Diabetes Association claims that more than 16 million Americans currently suffer from the condition. Diabetics not only suffer from the disease itself, but can also suffer from its complications, which include heart attack, stroke, renal (kidney) failure, and the need for amputations. Sometimes death can also be a complication. It is estimated that almost 170,000 Americans die a year from the disease.