Understanding cardiovascular health while managing diabetes
Cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes
Taking care of your type 2 diabetes means that you’re also managing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Here’s the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease and why diabetes puts your cardiovascular health at risk:
- Nerves and blood vessels can be damaged by diabetes
- If you have type 2 diabetes, you may also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and may be overweight—all risk factors for heart disease
- Your risk of heart disease and stroke increases the longer you have diabetes
Quick facts about cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Here are some things that are important to know if you are an adult with type 2 diabetes:
With diabetes, there’s up to a
4x
GREATER
RISK OF
stroke, heart attack, or
cardiovascular death
CARDIOVASCULAR
DISEASE IS THE
#1
CAUSE
OF DEATH AND
DISABILITY
for people with diabetes
EVERY80SECONDS,
an adult with diabetes is
hospitalized for heart disease
People with diabetes may develop
heart disease or have a stroke
AT AN EARLIER AGE
than people without diabetes
When it comes to a stroke, think F.A.S.T.
Having type 2 diabetes puts you at greater risk for a stroke. F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the signs to watch for. If you notice:
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Getting over the hurdles
There can be a lot of reasons why you don’t want to take diabetes medicine. Here are some ways to work around them.
Managing the risk of long‑term problems
Now is the time to take action to help reduce the risk of long-term problems from diabetes.
