If you’re living with diabetes or you’re at risk, you probably know how important it is to manage your blood sugar. But did you know diabetes can also affect your heart?
If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop heart disease, and to do so at a younger age. Even prediabetes puts you at higher risk for heart problems and stroke. That’s why it’s important to understand the connection and take steps to protect your heart health.
“Once you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you either already have heart disease or you’re at risk for it,” said Hong Seok Lee, MD, a cardiologist with Banner - University Medicine. “Heart disease and diabetes have overlapping risk factors. In fact, diabetes is considered a type of coronary artery disease.”
Why does heart health matter if you have diabetes?
Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar. It also impacts blood vessels and nerves throughout your body. That includes those that help keep your heart working properly.
“Over time, the damage to your blood vessels and nerves can raise your risk for serious conditions like heart attack, stroke or heart failure,” Dr. Lee said. “Diabetes also increases your risk of arrhythmia and can make valve disease worse.”
Prediabetes, which is when blood sugar levels are higher than they should be but not in the diabetes range, can also lead to heart disease and stroke. In fact, your heart could already be at risk before you are even diagnosed with diabetes.
How does diabetes raise your risk for heart disease?
Several factors come together in people with diabetes that increase heart disease risk:
- High blood sugar can damage the lining of your blood vessels and make them more likely to become blocked.
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol often go hand in hand with diabetes, putting extra strain on your heart.
- Other risk factors, like being overweight, not getting enough physical activity and having metabolic syndrome, can raise your risk even more.
“When these issues combine, it becomes much easier for plaque to build up in your arteries. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other serious problems,” Dr. Lee said.
What heart symptoms should you watch for if you have diabetes?
People with diabetes don’t always feel the typical signs of heart trouble. Symptoms may be milder or mistaken for something else. That’s why it’s important to know what to watch for:
- Chest pain, pressure or discomfort, even if it’s mild or doesn’t last very long
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats or palpitations
- Unusual fatigue or lightheadedness
- Swelling in your legs or ankles
- Dizziness
If you notice any of these, talk to a health care provider, especially if you have diabetes or prediabetes. Symptoms may be mild or harder to notice if you have diabetes.
“Some symptoms that aren’t typical might be hard to notice or neglected,” Dr. Lee said. “Symptoms like back pain, nausea or fatigue could be regarded as GERD, gastritis or anxiety.”
He also pointed out that women with diabetes should seek medical care for any unusual symptoms between the belly button and the neck.
What can you do to protect your heart?
You can take different steps to protect your heart whether you have diabetes or not:
- If you don’t have diabetes: You should see your provider regularly, especially if you have a family history of diabetes or obesity. “Preventing diabetes is the most important way to keep heart disease from developing,” Dr Lee said.
- If you have prediabetes: Talk to your provider about lifestyle changes that can help, and about the pros and cons of medication.
- If you have diabetes: Talk to your provider about whether medications like Ozempic or Wegovy might help control diabetes and prevent heart disease.
You can lower your risk for heart disease with some simple lifestyle changes and regular care:
- Get regular screenings, including A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol checks and, if you need to, take steps to manage your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Cholesterol guidelines for people with diabetes are stricter compared to people who do not have diabetes.
- Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity like brisk walking, leisurely cycling, water aerobics, tennis or pushing a lawn mower, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity like jogging, running, swimming laps, fast cycling or basketball. Include strength training too, since strong muscles help your body absorb glucose.
- If you have health problems that make it hard to exercise, try walking, Pilates, yoga and strength training with light weights or resistance bands.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet centered around vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Dr. Lee recommends this sequence for your meals: Eat your non-starchy veggies, protein and fat first, before you have carbs. Avoid refined carbs and sugar.
- Lose weight if you’re overweight. Even losing 5% to 7% of your body weight can make a difference.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
Your health care provider can help you build a personalized plan and connect you with programs that make staying on track easier.
“People who don’t take care of their diabetes will have significant complications,” Dr. Lee said. Those complications aren’t just bad for your health – they can be expensive. You might miss a lot of work and have high medical expenses.
When should you talk to a health care provider?
If you have diabetes or prediabetes and haven’t had your heart health checked recently, now is a good time. “Don’t wait for serious symptoms to appear — early action can make a big difference,” Dr. Lee said.
Talk to your provider if:
- You’ve been newly diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes
- You’re noticing any signs of heart issues
- It’s been more than a year since your last checkup, even if your test results were normal last time
- You’re at higher risk of diabetes or heart disease because of your family history or lifestyle factors
How does Banner Health support your heart and diabetes care?
When you have diabetes, it’s important to pay close attention to your heart disease risk. But managing both diabetes and heart health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Banner Health, we’re here to support you with the tools and care you need.
- Our care teams include primary care doctors, endocrinologists and cardiologists who work together to support your whole health.
- We offer diabetes education classes, personalized nutrition guidance and support from registered dietitians.
Whether you're managing diabetes or taking steps to stay as healthy as you can, we're here to help you take charge of your health. Reach out today to connect with a Banner Health expert for advice and support.
