Heart Health and Type 2 Diabetes
This educational content related to heart health and Type 2 diabetes was made possible with support from Trulicity, a partner of Beyond Type 2.
You have to protect your heart at all costs, especially from type 2 diabetes. Diabetes increases your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease encompasses a host of conditions including peripheral artery disease, heart diseases and thrombosis and embolism (clots in the leg’s veins which can move up to the lungs and heart). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) include heart attacks and strokes.
Here are some things to know about the link between and heart disease:
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, especially for Black, Hispanic and White women. Cardiovascular diseases are also the number one cause of death, globally.
- At least 68 percent of people aged 65 or older with diabetes die from a form of heart disease and 16 percent die from strokes.
- People with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke compared to people without diabetes.
- According to the American Heart Association (AHA), diabetes to be one of the seven major controllable risk factors for CVD.
- Adults with diabetes two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than those without diabetes.
Warning Signs of Cardiovascular Disease
You may not experience symptoms from cardiovascular diseases, but you could still have it. It’s important to be regularly screened by your providers to assess your risks. Still, there are some warning signs to watch out for:
- Pain or discomfort in the chest, neck, arms, left shoulder, elbow, or back.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Light-headedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heart flutters or irregular heart beats
- Severe headache
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please see a doctor right away.
Heart Health Resources
Read our resources below to learn more about preventing and lowering the risks of developing cardiovascular disease, as well as type 2 medications that treat diabetes and reduce the risks of CVD. Use our guides to help you begin new conversations with your healthcare team on how to prioritize heart health in your diabetes care.
Ask a DCES: What’s the Connection Between Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes?
A diabetes care and education specialist (DCES) answers a patient's question about the connection between heart disease and type 2 diabetes.MORE
How to Talk to Your Doctor about Heart Health
Endocrinologist, Marina Basina, Ph.D., discusses how diabetes affects heart health and how to talk to your doctor about cardiovascular disease.MORE
Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes Management
Watching your blood pressure is one of the many ways to reduce your risks of cardiovascular disease.MORE
Know Your Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
What's the risk of developing cardiovascular disease if you have type 2 diabetes? Learn them here. MORE
Heart-Healthy Food and Recipes
The risks of developing heart disease are higher with diabetes. Reduce those risks with our heart-healthy recipes and nutrition tips.MORE
All About GLP-1s
People with type 2 diabetes have many medication options to manage the disease. Most are familiar with insulin or metformin, but there’s another class of drugs that are called glucagon-like peptide-...MORE
All About SGLT-2s
SGLT-2 Inhibitors are one of the treatment options to manage type 2 diabetes. Learn the brand names, benefits and side effects to taking this drug. MORE
Smoking and Type 2 Diabetes
Learn all about how smoking increases the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes and diabetes complications. If you smoke, we provide tips on how to quit.MORE
Heart Attacks and Type 2 Diabetes
Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke. Learn more about the risks of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.MORE
Diabetes and Heart Disease
Having diabetes means that you are more likely to develop heart disease and have a greater chance of a heart attack or a stroke. People with diabetes are also more likely to have certain conditions, o...MOREAdditional Resources
Laurie Hernandez: Type 2 Diabetes is a Team Sport
U.S. Gold Medalist, Laurie Hernandez chats with Beyond Type 2 about supporting her father's journey with type 2 diabetes and why T2D is a team sport.MORE
Eight Ways to Watch Your Sodium Intake
Learn why it's important to watch your sodium intake and discover 8 easy ways to do it. MORE
What to Know About the 2021 Standards of Care for Type 2 Diabetes
It's important to know which guidelines doctors follow to develop your treatment plans. Here's what to know about the 2021 Standards of Care.MORE
Cholesterol: Is it Good, Bad, or Both?
Is cholesterol good, bad, or both? The answer isn't so black and white. Read about cholesterol and how it impacts your health here. MORE
When Medications are Prescribed for Type 2 Diabetes Management
Doctors follow a set of protocols to determine when to recommend medications to T2D patients. Learn when they're likely to prescribe them.MORE
The DASH Diet for Type 2 Diabetes
The DASH diet—Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—is a nutrition plan that promotes heart-healthy foods. The primary goal of this diet is to aid in lowering high blood pressure through a d...MORE
Diabetes ABCs
Type 2 diabetes management can be overwhelming, but understanding the basics of which numbers to pay attention can simplify it. The three numbers you should know are A1C, Blood pressure, and Cholester...MORE
Mediterranean Diet for Type 2 Diabetes
Love Greek, Spanish, or Italian foods? Then you'll love what the Mediterranean Diet and how it can help you manage Type 2 diabetes. MORE
Diabetes and Exercise
Exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle. You should always consult your doctor before engaging in strenuous exercise to be sure you are physically able though.MORE
