In a new statement from AHA, researchers found fewer than 1 in 5 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. are meeting targets to reduce heart disease risk.
Fortunately, available therapies can help when combined with new approaches that address social determinants of health and other barriers to care.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting more than 34 million people in the U.S., representing nearly 11% of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to efficiently use the insulin it makes or when the pancreas loses its capacity to produce insulin.
People with T2D often have other cardiovascular disease risk factors, including overweight or obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Adults with T2D are twice as likely to die from CVD — including heart attacks, strokes and heart failure — compared to adults who do not have T2D.
The new scientific statement, based on the writing group’s extensive review of clinical trial results through June 2020, addresses the gap between existing evidence on how best to lower cardiovascular risk in people with T2D and the reality for people living with T2D.
Targets to reduce CVD risk among people with T2D include managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels; increasing physical activity; healthy nutrition; obesity and weight management; not smoking; not drinking alcohol; and psychosocial care.
Greater adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle among people with T2D is associated with a substantially lower risk of CVD and CVD mortality.
The team found a surprisingly large proportion – as high as 90% – of factors to effectively manage CVD with T2D includes modifiable lifestyle and societal factors.
Shared decision-making among patients and health care professionals is essential for successfully managing T2D and CVD.
A comprehensive diabetes care plan should be tailored based on individual risks and benefits and in consideration the patient’s preferences; potential cost concerns; support to effectively manage T2D and take medications as prescribed, including diabetes self-management education and support; promotion and support of healthy lifestyle choices that improve cardiovascular health including nutrition and physical activity; and treatment for any other CVD risk factors.
The statement also highlights recent evidence on treating T2D that may spur clinicians and patients to review and update their T2D management plan to also address CVD risk factors.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about best way to achieve type 2 diabetes remission, and a new cure for type 2 diabetes.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about antioxidant drug that could protect against stroke and heart attack, and results showing this drug combo can halve your risk of heart attack, stroke.
The study is published in Circulation. One author of the study is Joshua J. Joseph, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA.
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