Talk to Your Doctor | My Heart Matters

Diabetes and heart health
Talk to your doctor

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1. Track your personal details

Personalize your discussion guide with your name and age.

Your age may cause your doctor to think about risk factors for heart disease.

A little about you can go a long way

Name

Age

≤44

45–54

55–64

≥65

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2. Tell your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease

Several factors can put you at an increased risk of developing heart disease.

Prevention is key and you have the power to control some of these risk factors.

a) Here are the medical conditions that affect me (check all that apply)

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

High blood sugar

Shortness of breath upon exertion

Chest tightness or discomfort

Anxiety and depression

None apply

2. Tell your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease

Several factors can put you at an increased risk of developing heart disease.

Prevention is key and you have the power to control some of these risk factors.

b) Here are the lifestyle risk factors that affect me (check all that apply)

I have a hard time eating healthy and find it overwhelming to navigate the grocery store aisles, family celebrations and late-night cravings

It’s hard to find 150 minutes a week to workout, every week
Diabetes Canada recommends 150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity and resistance exercises 2–3 times/week.

I often have a few more alcoholic drinks than is recommended

I am a smoker

I often feel stressed

I’m not at my goal weight yet

3. Talk to your doctor

Knowing what to ask your doctor ahead of time can help you get the most out of your appointment.

Here are some questions you can ask

Should I be concerned about my heart health or my risk of heart disease?

What day-to-day changes can I make to lower my risk of heart disease?

What other factors can contribute to my risk of heart disease?

What else can I do to manage my heart health?

Am I on a medication that can reduce my risk of dying from problems related to my heart
and blood vessels?

Download, print or email your personalized doctor’s discussion guide and bring it with you to your next appointment – and keep your heart top of mind

Name

Age

a) Here are the medical conditions that affect me (check all that apply)

b) Here are the lifestyle risk factors that affect me (check all that apply)

Here are some questions you can ask

Should I be concerned about my heart health or my risk of heart disease?

What day-to-day changes can I make to lower my risk of heart disease?

What other factors can contribute to my risk of heart disease?

What else can I do to manage my heart health?

Am I on a medication that can reduce my risk of dying from problems related to my heart
and blood vessels?

Download

It’s time to talk type 2 diabetes and heart health with your doctor

This guide was designed to help you get the most out of your next appointment.

Build your personalized doctor’s discussion guide

Track some personal details
Tell your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease
1. Medical conditions
2. Lifestyle risk factors
Talk to your doctor

Get started

Quick reference discussion guide

Don’t feel like completing a personalized guide? Use this quick reference discussion guide to start a conversation with your doctor.

Download

Keep your heart top of mind

Understanding heart disease and its relation to type 2 diabetes may help you have a more meaningful conversation with your doctor.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a group of conditions that can affect the structure and functions of the heart and its blood vessels. It occurs when the heart, or the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart, have been damaged.

What is the link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease?

Diabetes puts you at greater risk of heart disease and stroke, which are two of the most common causes of death from type 2 diabetes.

2–4x more likely to develop heart disease than people without diabetes

May develop heart disease 15 years earlier compared to people without diabetes

Over 3x more likely to be hospitalized for heart health problems

1 in 2 people with type 2 diabetes dies due to heart disease

How can you protect your heart?

Proper management of type 2 diabetes may help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes complications such as heart disease.

There are also medications available in Canada that are indicated, along with diet and exercise, to reduce the risk of dying from events related to the heart or blood vessels if you have type 2 diabetes and a history of heart disease. Talk to your doctor for more information about these treatment options.

Make your heart the reason to see your doctor

Living with diabetes

After diagnosis, you may feel overwhelmed, but there’s help out there if you need it.

Get support

Talk to your doctor – and keep the focus on your heart

It’s time to talk type 2 diabetes and heart health with your doctor

1

1. Track your personal details

A little about you can go a long way

2

2. Tell your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease

a) Here are the medical conditions that affect me (check all that apply)

3

2. Tell your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease

b) Here are the lifestyle risk factors that affect me (check all that apply)

4

3. Talk to your doctor

Here are some questions you can ask

5

Download, print or email your personalized doctor’s discussion guide and bring it with you to your next appointment – and keep your heart top of mind

a) Here are the medical conditions that affect me (check all that apply)

b) Here are the lifestyle risk factors that affect me (check all that apply)

Here are some questions you can ask

It’s time to talk type 2 diabetes and heart health with your doctor

Build your personalized doctor’s discussion guide

Quick reference discussion guide

Keep your heart top of mind

What is heart disease?

What is the link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease?

How can you protect your heart?

Living with diabetes

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