Today, November 9th, is National Diabetes Heart Connection Day. In 2017, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating November 9th as “National Diabetes Heart Health Awareness Day”.

According to www.diabetesheartconnection.org, people with type 2 diabetes have more than two times the risk for developing heart disease. Two out of three deaths in people with type 2 diabetes are attributed to cardiovascular disease. Approximately 30 million Americans have diabetes, 8 million are not yet diagnosed, and 86 million with signs of prediabetes.

At least, 1 in 3 people will develop diabetes in their life. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. in general, but exacts an even heavier toll among people with diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes have twice the risk of having a cardiovascular-related hospitalization compared to people without type 2 diabetes.

The American Heart Association lists diabetes as one of the seven major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, along with smoking, physical activity, and obesity among others.

The American Heart Association has websites and other resources online to help with those New to Type 2 Diabetes, Managing their Type 2 Diabetes, and those helping someone with Type 2 Diabetes at www.knowdiabetesbyheart.org

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, people with diabetes are also more likely to have certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, that increase their chances of having a heart attack or stroke. For more information and resources visit, www.niddk.gov/health-information/diabetes

The American Association of Diabetes Educators have resources and information related to understanding the link between prediabetes, diabetes and heart disease available at www.diabeteseducator.org

Always remember, if you feel you may be showing signs or symptoms of prediabetes, make an appointment with your primary physician.