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People who have diabetes have a higher change of developing many health problems, including heart disease. This brochure explains how heart disease can develop, how it affects your health, and what you can do to help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Swollen or damaged airways can make it difficult to breathe. When these conditions are progressive, understanding the symptoms and treatment options is important. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Over time, damage to the heart and blood vessels may lead to health problems like high blood pressure, high lipids, acute coronary syndrome and heart failure. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Over time, damage to the kidneys may lead to health problems like hyperkalemia and anemia. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
Maintaining a healthy level of glucose (sugar) in the blood and understanding the symptoms and complications when the levels are too high or low is essential to managing diabetes. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
If you've been diagnosed with cancer, you will likely have questions about the disease, how it may be treated and what outcome you might expect with your health condition. It can be hard to understand what cancer means and difficult to talk about. If you have any questions about your condition, talk to your healthcare provider.Learn more
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This information is intended for US Consumers
Cardiovascular Conditions and Type 2 Diabetes
It is common for people with high blood pressure and abnormal lipid levels to also have type 2 diabetes. Having all of these conditions can affect your health.
High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, it means the force of the blood pushing on the walls of your blood vessels is too high. Your heart has to work harder when your blood pressure is high. Some people with high blood pressure develop type 2 diabetes, though the exact cause isn't known.
Abnormal Lipid Levels
If you have abnormal levels of lipids in your blood, it may mean you have one or more of the following:
You may have more than one of these lipid abnormalities at the same time.
People with abnormal lipid levels have a higher rate of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is elevated. Over time, high blood glucose can damage the blood vessels of your heart and other organs, leading to other health problems.
Impact of Having Cardiovascular Conditions and Type 2 Diabetes
Having high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, and type 2 diabetes can affect you in many ways, including:
Type 2 Diabetes Risk Reduction
The good news is that there are things you can do to help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
You May Need to Make Changes to Your Lifestyle.
If you smoke, get the help you need to quit.
Follow a healthy eating plan including foods low in fat, sodium, and carbohydrates.
Maintain or get to a healthy weight.
Work with your healthcare provider to determine the right amount of physical activity for you.
Make sure you work with your healthcare provider to control your blood pressure and lipid levels.
This includes taking medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Following the treatment plan you and your healthcare provider discussed will help you feel better and reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
The information in this handout has been created and peer reviewed by graduate-level medical illustrators, followed by reviews from medical subject experts, either physicians or PhDs on the Nucleus Medical Review Board, to ensure medical accuracy and audience level appropriateness.
The handout is intended to supplement the information you receive from your healthcare provider and should never be considered personal medical advice. Always contact your healthcare provider with health questions and concerns.
