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Too many Australians with type 2 diabetes are in a bad relationship with their heart. The Take Diabetes 2 Heart campaign is about inspiring people with diabetes, and the people who love them, to take positive steps to better heart health.

We want people with diabetes, and the husbands and wives, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews who love them, to take diabetes to heart. If you have a loved one living with type 2 diabetes, we are encouraging you to have a heart-to-heart conversation about looking after their health. If you’ve got type 2 diabetes, make an appointment today with your GP to talk about what you can do to lower your risk of heart disease.

The Heart of the Matter

People with diabetes are between two and four times more likely to develop heart disease.1

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes and contributes to around two-thirds of all deaths in people with diabetes.2

Between one and three per cent of people with type 2 diabetes experience a heart attack every year. That means that in a given year between 11,000 and 33,000 Australians will suffer a diabetes-related heart attack.3

Almost two-thirds of Australian adults with type 2 diabetes self-report some form of cardiovascular disease.4

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. It kills one Australian every 12 minutes.5

Download The Heart of the Matter fact sheet.

See References

1 Haffner, S., Lehto, S., Rönnemaa, T., Pyörälä, K. and Laakso, M. (1998). Mortality from Coronary Heart Disease in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes and in Nondiabetic Subjects with and without Prior Myocardial Infarction. New England Journal of Medicine, 339(4), pp.229-234.

2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017. Deaths among people with diabetes in Australia, 2009–2014. Cat. no. CVD 79. Canberra: AIHW.

3 Shaw, P., Thomas, P. and Magliano, A. (2018). The Dark Heart of Type 2 Diabetes. [online] Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Available at: https://www.baker.edu.au/-/media/documents/impact/Baker-Institute-The-dark-heart-of-type-2-diabetes.ashx?la=en [Accessed 8 Jun. 2018].

4 Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15. 2015; Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4364.0.55.0012014-15?OpenDocument.

5 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017, Causes of Death 2016, ABS cat. no. 3303.0, September.

National Survey Results

We surveyed Australians with type 2 diabetes to find out what they knew about the relationship between diabetes and heart disease

What do you know about heart disease?

59%

of respondents did not know that the number one health-related cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes is heart/cardiovascular disease

What do you know about heart disease?

12%

of respondents thought they were personally at risk of heart disease or cardiovascular disease and 6% thought they were personally at risk of heart attack

What would you do if you knew you were at risk of heart disease?

99%

would be likely to do something about it

What would you do if you knew you were at risk of heart disease?

80%

would take action by changing their diet or exercising

What would you do to decrease your risk of heart/cardiovascular disease?

84%

Diet/Improve eating habits

78%

Exercise

73%

Talk to a healthcare provider

What would motivate you to decrease your risk of heart/cardiovascular disease?

For my own quality of life

85%

Desire to live longer

60%

Loved one asks/tell me to

29%

Loss of a loved one related to heart/cardiovascular disease

16%

Loved one going through the same thing

16%

Celebrity/famous person going through the same thing

1%

Celebrity/famous person talking about heart/cardiovascular disease

1%

Nothing would motivate me

1%

What do you know about heart disease?

59%

of respondents did not know that the number one health-related cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes is heart/cardiovascular disease

What would you do if you knew you were at risk of heart disease?

99%

would be likely to do something about it

What do you know about heart disease?

12%

of respondents thought they were personally at risk of heart disease or cardiovascular disease and 6% thought they were personally at risk of heart attack

What would you do if you knew you were at risk of heart disease?

80%

would take action by changing their diet or exercising

What would you do to decrease your risk of heart/cardiovascular disease?

84%

Diet/Improve eating habits

78%

Exercise

73%

Talk to a healthcare provider

What would motivate you to decrease your risk of heart/cardiovascular disease?

For my own quality of life

85%

Desire to live longer

60%

Loved one asks/tell me to

29%

Loss of a loved one related to heart/cardiovascular disease

16%

Loved one going through the same thing

16%

Celebrity/famous person going through the same thing

1%

Celebrity/famous person talking about heart/cardiovascular disease

1%

Nothing would motivate me

1%

A bad relationship:

 

Diabetes & heart disease

 

When it comes to bad relationships, mending your broken heart is the first step to recovery. But what if you don’t know your heart is broken? For people with type 2 diabetes, knowing your heart is at risk is the first step to reducing your risk.

The connection between type 2 diabetes and heart disease is closer than many Australians think. People living with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease, but only 12 per cent think they are personally at risk.

The heart of the matter

Between one and three per cent of people with type 2 diabetes experience a heart attack every year.7 That means that in any given year between 11,000 and 33,000 Australians will suffer a diabetes-related heart attack. Heart disease contributes to just under two-thirds of all deaths in people with diabetes.8 Alarmingly two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes do not know that heart disease is the number one cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes.

Why is this relationship so complicated?

Diabetes, like other causes of heart disease, causes plaque to build up on the walls of the arteries. This can clog up the arteries, making it easier for cholesterol to gather and making blood flow more difficult. This blockage can lead to heart attacks, strokes and even sudden death. Diabetes also damages the walls of blood vessels, making them more prone to injury from blood pressure, swelling in the arteries and plaque build-up.

What do I need to do?

Now is the time for you to take diabetes to heart. Have a serious conversation with your GP about what you can do to reduce your risk. It takes more than controlling blood glucose levels to reduce your risk. If you have diabetes, speak to your GP about the relationship between diabetes and heart disease. If you have loved ones with type 2 diabetes, encourage them to take action and speak with their GP. The sooner you do, the sooner you and a GP can take action.

 

Download the ‘A bad relationship‘ fact sheet.

See References

7 Shaw, P., Thomas, P. and Magliano, A. (2018). The Dark Heart of Type 2 Diabetes. [online] Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Available at: https://www.baker.edu.au/-/media/documents/impact/Baker-Institute-The-dark-heart-of-type-2-diabetes.ashx?la=en [Accessed 8 Jun. 2018].

8 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017. Deaths among people with diabetes in Australia, 2009–2014. Cat. no. CVD 79. Canberra: AIHW

How to take care of your heart

Taking care of your heart is important when you have diabetes. People living with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease, including heart attack. There are ways to reduce your risk of heart disease.

  • Be physically active

    Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and help reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke. Aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. Check with your doctor before starting a physical activity program.

  • Make healthy food choices

    Choose a wide variety of foods, including fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, lean meats and low-fat dairy foods. Include high-fibre, low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrate foods. It’s also important to limit foods high in saturated fat and salt (sodium). Talk to a dietitian about the best food choices to reduce your risk of heart disease.

  • Keep blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the target range

    Keeping cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the target range will reduce your risk of heart disease. As a guide aim for:

    • Total cholesterol less than 4mmol/L
    • LDL (bad) cholesterol less than 2mmol/L
    • HDL (good) cholesterol 1mmol/L or above
    • Triglycerides less than 2mmol/L

    Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help manage your cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease.

  • Manage high blood pressure

    High blood pressure is common in people with diabetes, and it can more than double the risk of heart disease. Weight loss (if needed) and regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure.

    As a general guide the blood pressure target for people with diabetes is 130/80 or less. If you have existing cardiovascular or kidney disease your doctor will advise you on a blood pressure target to meet your individual health needs.

    Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help manage your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other diabetes-related complications.

  • If your weight is above the healthy weight range, try to lose weight

    Carrying excess weight, especially around your waist, is a major risk factor for heart disease and is strongly linked to type 2 diabetes. Losing as little as 5-10% of your weight can reduce your risk of heart disease.

  • Don’t smoke – if you do smoke try and quit

    Smoking is a major risk factor for sudden cardiac death, and smokers who have diabetes double their risk of heart disease. If you feel you can’t give up smoking on your own, ask for help – talk to your doctor or call the Quitline on 137 848.

  • How do you know if you have heart disease?

    People often don’t know they have heart disease until they develop symptoms. These include:

    • chest pain
    • shortness of breath
    • dizziness
    • arm or jaw discomfort
    • weakness
    • nausea.

  • If you display these symptoms seek urgent medical attention

    If you have nerve damage, you may not notice many – or any – symptoms of heart disease.

    The risk of developing heart disease is higher if you:

    • have high blood pressure
    • are above the healthy weight range or carrying extra weight around your waist
    • are a smoker
    • have a family history of heart disease.

    Your doctor can assess your risk of developing heart disease.

    More information

    For more information about heart disease, talk to your doctor.

  • Download the fact sheet

    Download the ‘Take care of your heart‘ fact sheet.

Take action & have a heart 2 heart

How to have a heart-to-heart about diabetes and heart disease

Do you have a loved one living with type 2 diabetes?

Here are some tips for having a heart-to-heart with your loved ones about diabetes and heart disease.

  1. Be direct.
  2. People with diabetes are between two and four times more likely to develop heart disease because of diabetes.
  3. Share the good news – the sooner they know about their increased risk, the sooner they can take steps to reduce their risk.
  4. Encourage them to talk to their GP about their risk and what they can do to reduce it.
  5. Be open. Discuss your fears, worries and needs. Remind your loved one you want them to be around for a long time.
  6. If you feel uncomfortable having the discussion, that’s ok. Encourage your loved one to visit www.takediabetes2heart.com.au.

Download the How to have a heart 2 heart fact sheet.

Take action – Having a heart-to-heart with your GP about your heart

People with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop some form of heart disease than people without the condition. This is why it’s important you understand what you can do to reduce your risk.

We don’t want you to miss out on precious time with your loved ones, so we’re encouraging you to have a heart-to-heart with your healthcare team. The sooner you talk to your healthcare team, the sooner you can reduce your risk.

So pick up the phone, make an appointment with your GP for a chat about your heart health today.

And spread the word. Does someone you care about have type 2 diabetes? Encourage them to talk to their health team.

What should you ask your GP?

  • Am I at risk of heart attack or stroke?
  • Is diabetes increasing my risk of heart attack or stroke?
  • What else contributes to my risk of heart attack or stroke?
  • Should I be concerned about this right now?
  • What changes can I make to lower my risk of heart disease?
  • How can I get more active?
  • How can I get personalised dietary advice?
  • If I already take heart medication, am I still at risk?
  • How will I know if I have lowered my risk?

Download the Take action GP Heart 2 Heart fact sheet.