Because every 80 seconds, an adult with type 2 diabetes in the US is hospitalized for cardiovascular disease—that is, problems that affect your heart and blood vessels. For instance, events like heart attack, stroke, heart failure…even death. Scary stuff.
Why is cardiovascular risk such a big deal?
Why is cardiovascular risk such a big deal?
Because every 80 seconds, an adult with diabetes in the US is hospitalized for cardiovascular disease—that is, problems that affect your heart and blood vessels. For instance, events like heart attack, stroke, heart failure…even death. Scary stuff.
But why the increased risk with type 2 diabetes?
But why the increased risk with type 2 diabetes?
I figured if I hit my A1C goal, I was golden, but my doctor helped me see that I’m still at risk.
What I found out was that over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. And even if you’re reaching your A1C target like I was, you can still be at increased cardiovascular risk based on factors like weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
Cardiovascular risk factors: Take the quiz
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in people living with type 2 diabetes. But in one study, more than half of people with diabetes didn’t consider themselves at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Let’s be real, here—does that sound like you?
1Diabetes
2Previous event
3Blood pressure
4Cholesterol
5Weight
6Smoking
7Race
8Age
Have you been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?
Jump on in—I bet you’ll end up with a little more knowledge than you had when you started.
Having type 2 diabetes means an up to 4 times greater risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death compared to people without diabetes.
Why? Because if it’s not managed over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. And people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have other conditions that raise their risk, too.
Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your cardiovascular risk.
Having type 2 diabetes means an up to 4 times greater risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death compared to people without diabetes.
But cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in the US, even for those without diabetes. There’s never a bad time to talk to your doctor about ways to manage your cardiovascular risk.
Have you had a cardiovascular event in the past—for instance, a heart attack or a stroke?
The unfortunate fact is that once someone has had a heart attack or stroke, they're at increased risk for another cardiovascular event. That applies to people with and without type 2 diabetes.
But there are ways you can help lower your risk of having another event or keep it from getting worse. Talk to your doctor about understanding your cardiovascular risk and ways to manage it.
I bet this will make you want to keep it that way: Once someone has had a heart attack or stroke, they're at increased risk for another cardiovascular event. That applies to people with and without type 2 diabetes.
Talk to your doctor about understanding your cardiovascular risk and ways to manage it.
Do you have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is a big risk factor for cardiovascular disease and events, such as heart attack, stroke, or even cardiovascular death.
If you aren’t already taking steps to keep your blood pressure under control, now’s a great time to start. Talk to your doctor about understanding your cardiovascular risk and ways to manage it.
Hey, you’re nailing it!
High blood pressure is a big risk factor for cardiovascular disease and events, such as heart attack, stroke, or even cardiovascular death. So keep doing what you’re doing to maintain your blood pressure. And keep your health care provider in the loop, too.
High blood pressure is a big risk factor for cardiovascular disease and events, such as heart attack, stroke, or even cardiovascular death.
So if you don’t know your blood pressure, talk to your health care provider about your numbers. Knowing where you stand is the first step toward taking action.
Do you have high cholesterol?
High cholesterol is a strong cardiovascular risk factor.
And there’s more than one kind of cholesterol, too. Talk to your doctor about “good” and “bad” cholesterol, and what you can do to keep it under control.
That’s good to hear, because high cholesterol is a strong cardiovascular risk factor.
And there’s “good” and “bad” cholesterol, too. If yours is under control, talk to your doctor about what you can do to keep it there.
High cholesterol is a strong cardiovascular risk factor. And there’s “good” and “bad” cholesterol, too.
That’s why it’s so important to know your numbers. You can start by scheduling a screening with your health care provider.
Has your health care provider ever told you that you may be overweight?
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of reducing your cardiovascular risk. Your doctor can help you understand what that means for you and set some goals to stay on track.
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of reducing your cardiovascular risk. Whether you’re on the right track or not…it can’t hurt to check in about weight next time you see your health care provider, right?
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of reducing your cardiovascular risk. So if you’re not sure about your own weight, Your doctor can help you understand what that means for you and set some goals to stay on track.
Are you a smoker?
Smoking cigarettes means increased cardiovascular risk.
Remember, if you have type 2 diabetes, your risk for events like heart attack or stroke is already up to 4 times greater than someone without type 2 diabetes.
Why pile risk on risk? NOW is a great time to talk to your health care provider about quitting.
Now that’s the best thing you could’ve said.
Remember, if you have type 2 diabetes, your risk for events like heart attack or stroke is already up to 4 times greater than someone without type 2 diabetes. And smoking cigarettes also increases a person’s cardiovascular risk.
Why pile risk on risk, am I right?
That’s a great answer. Your cardiovascular risk starts decreasing soon after you quit—and for many people, it keeps decreasing over time.
Sounds like a win to me.
Are you a member of an ethnic or minority group such as black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander?
According to the American Heart Association, black Americans have higher rates of type 2 diabetes and may develop cardiovascular disease at an earlier age than other racial groups.
And some racial groups are more likely than others to experience risk factors for heart disease, like high blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor about what you can do to manage your cardiovascular risk.
Minority populations living with type 2 diabetes have an even higher risk of cardiovascular disease than other populations.
But nobody’s off the hook. Everyone living with type 2 diabetes has an increased risk.
Talk to your doctor about what you can do to manage your cardiovascular risk.
How old are you?
Even basic factors like age can affect your risk of cardiovascular disease.
In men, risk for heart disease starts increasing around age 45. For women, risk goes up around age 55.
And people 65+ are more likely than younger people to develop heart disease.
You know what I’m going to say: Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your risk as you age.
Congrats on taking the first step!
If you have type 2 diabetes, the thing to remember here is that the more of these risk factors you have, the higher your cardiovascular risk may be. And the next step is talking to your health care provider about what you can do.
Not sure what to ask? I’ve got you covered.
Download this discussion guide and take it with you to your next appointment.
If you have type 2 diabetes, the time to get real about your risk is NOW
And the next step is talking to your health care provider about ways to lower your risk of a cardiovascular event, whether you’ve had one already or not. And check it out—you’ve even got a few conversation starters to take with you to your next appointment. Why not schedule it today?
The time to get real about your risk is NOW
And the next step is talking to your health care provider about ways to lower your cardiovascular risk. There are even type 2 diabetes medicines that can lower your blood sugar and lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. And check it out—you’ve even got a few conversation starters to take with you to your next appointment. Why not schedule it today?
When it comes to your cardiovascular health, don’t take any chances.
“Cardiovascular disease” is one of those broad umbrella terms that covers a longer list of conditions. There are 3 types, and believe me, they’re easier to understand than they are to pronounce.
- Atherosclerosis: A long word for a simple concept. This condition causes fatty plaque to build up in your blood vessels, which can lead to events like heart attack or stroke.
- Arrhythmia: Also known as an “irregular heartbeat,” this condition is caused by structural changes or damage in your heart.
- Heart failure: Exactly what it sounds like. This occurs when your heart muscles weaken and can’t supply enough blood throughout your body.
It’s important for you and your family to know the common signs and symptoms so if they show up, you can get medical help right away. Remember: Different people can experience different symptoms, or symptoms that are more or less severe than other people’s. In fact, some people may experience no symptoms at all.
Common symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- Feeling pressure, tightness, or pain in your chest or arms
- Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat
- Fatigue
- Light headedness or sudden dizziness
- Feeling pressure, tightness, or pain in your chest or arms
- Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat
- Fatigue
- Light headedness or sudden dizziness
Common symptoms of a stroke may include:
- Sudden weakness or droopiness of the face
- Sudden issues with your vision
- Sudden weakness or numbness in the arms
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden dizziness and trouble walking
- Sudden weakness or droopiness of the face
- Sudden issues with your vision
- Sudden weakness or numbness in the arms
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden dizziness and trouble walking
If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, seek medical attention right away. Don’t mess around with these things. Go get the help you need.
Learn about why blood sugar control is so important
Anthony Anderson's diabetes story
Diabetes is diabetes, even if you’re a celebrity. Hear how I got real about healthy eating, being active, and taking my medicine as discussed with my doctor.
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