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.