For support when speaking to a doctor about the potential risk of heart disease, download the relevant discussion guide to find simple questions to help start the conversation.

Type 2 diabetes: could the heart be at increased risk?

When people think of diabetes, complications that commonly come to mind include visual impairment, foot or leg amputation and kidney disease. However, heart disease is the number one cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes.1,2

One in every two people with type 2 diabetes is expected to prematurely lose their life to heart disease.1,2

People with type 2 diabetes should consider that it’s their own heart that could be at increased risk.2

The good news is that there are things that can be done to reduce the risk of heart disease, including making lifestyle changes and talking to a doctor about treatment options that may reduce the risk of heart disease.3

Due to advances in care, doctors have more options to prescribe treatments that can reduce the risk to the heart.3,4

Would you speak to a doctor about the link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease and the potential risk to the heart?

It’s Your Heart. Protect It.


  • 1. Einarson TR, Acs A, Ludwig C, et al. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2018;17:83.
  • 2. Morrish NJ, Wang SL, Stevens LK, et al. Mortality and Causes of Death in the WHO Multinational Study of Vascular Disease in Diabetes. Diabetologia 2001;44Suppl 2:S14-21.
  • 3. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2018. Diabetes Care. 2018;41(Suppl.1):S7–S12.
  • 4. European Society of Cardiology. European Heart Journal. 2016;37,2315-2381.