Around 9.3 million people in Germany live with the metabolic disease type 2 diabetes. This is often accompanied by other health complications, such as kidney damage, problems with the eyes or feet that are particularly susceptible to injury. People with type 2 diabetes are particularly likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. The risk of heart attacks is four times higher in men and six times higher in women.

Insidious danger to heart health

The fatal aspect: as the underlying disease often does not produce any serious symptoms, type 2 diabetes is often underestimated in terms of its negative consequences for heart health. Dangerous secondary diseases such as arteriosclerosis develop gradually over years without patients noticing.

A recent survey of people with type 2 diabetes shows that more than half of respondents are unaware of the risk of cardiovascular disease. This makes it all the more important that those affected are aware of the connection between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. After all, they can do a lot themselves to reduce their risk - in addition to treatment.

Make diabetes a matter of the heart

Repeatedly or permanently elevated blood sugar levels have a significant influence on secondary complications. This is why people with type 2 diabetes should make the most of the summer and make diabetes a matter of the heart. The primary goal is for patients to achieve the blood glucose target values discussed with their doctor. "Patients lay the foundation for this by consistently following the individual treatment agreed with their doctor and having their long-term blood sugar checked regularly," says internist and diabetologist Professor Dr. Werner Kern. Sufficient exercise and a balanced diet are just as important.

Discuss individual target values with the doctor

Blood glucose measurements are primarily intended to show whether the selected dose of medication has been chosen correctly. The individual target values should be discussed with the doctor. The doctor can also explain what people with type 2 diabetes can actively do for their heart health.

In the second part of the "Heart & Diabetes" series, you will learn how to incorporate exercise into your everyday life to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.