Most people think of heart disease as one condition

In truth, heart disease is more of a general term, and has many causes. Heart disease is a group of conditions that can affect the structure and functions of the heart, and its blood vessels.

The most common form of heart disease in diabetes is coronary artery disease or “narrowing and/or hardening of the arteries”. This happens when fatty deposits block the arteries that supply the heart with blood. Things like smoking, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and not exercising or eating a balanced diet can all increase the risk of heart disease.

Coronary artery disease can also lead to a heart attack. While a heart attack may seem like an isolated event, it can be a sign of a much more serious and long-term heart health problem and can lead to heart failure.

Importantly, people with diabetes can develop heart failure without having had a heart attack, coronary artery disease, or high blood pressure.

Heart failure happens when the heart muscle is not pumping blood as well as it should, resulting in the body not getting the amount of blood, oxygen and nutrients it needs.

Symptoms of heart failure can include:

• Increased shortness of breath
• Sudden weight gain of more than 1.5 kg (3 lbs) over 1 to 2 days, or 2.5 kg (5 lbs) in a single week
• Bloating or feeling full all the time
• Cough or cold symptoms that last longer than a week
• Tiredness, loss of energy or extreme tiredness
• Loss of or change in appetite
• Increased swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, base of spine or stomach
• Increased urination at night

Having diabetes makes you 2–5x more likely to develop heart failure

People with diabetes have worse consequences than people without diabetes when it comes to heart failure.

Unfortunately, 1 in 5 Canadians mistakenly believes that heart failure is a normal part of aging. However, there are things you can do to protect your heart health.

Even when your blood sugar levels are being managed, also think about your heart and blood vessel health

Heart disease is real – but so are the solutions you can take to reduce your risk.

Talk to your doctor about your heart health, possible medication options, and the simple steps you can take now to lower your risk of heart disease.

Remember: Even if your blood sugar is well managed, this doesn’t necessarily mean you are protected from the risk of heart disease.

If you have type 2 diabetes and a history of heart disease, controlling your blood sugar alone may not be enough. There are medications that – along with diet and exercise – have been proven to lower the risk of dying from problems related to your heart and blood vessels.