Less than 20% of Diabetes Patients Managing Heart Disease Risk

Fewer than 1 in 5 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. successfully manage their Heart Disease risk. The study was published on Jan. 10 in the American Heart Association’s Circulation journal.Joshua Joseph, MD, chair of the statement’s writing group and an endocrinologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. in

Columbus, said that in the United States, less than 1 in 5 adults with [Type 2 diabetes] not diagnosed with cardiovascular disease are meeting optimal [Type 2 diabetes] management goals of not smoking and achieving healthy levels of blood sugar, blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol.

The scientific statement says addressing social determinants of health and other barriers to treatment can help improve heart health among people with Type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association’s last scientific statement on preventing Heart Disease in diabetes patients was published in 2015.And when looking at U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes and known atherosclerotic CVD, only 6.8% met the target goals for HbA1c levels, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and being non-smokers. Even worse, only 2.7% met these target goals and had a BMI under 30.

Less than 20% of those with type 2 diabetes — are successfully managing their Heart Disease risk, and far too many are struggling to stop smoking and lose weight, two key CVD risk factors. Healthcare professionals, the healthcare industry and broader community organizations all have an essential role to play in supporting people with type 2 diabetes.