Diabetic Heart Disease Summary If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes you have an increased risk for heart disease. Diabetic heart disease can be coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Diabetes by itself puts you at risk for heart disease. Other risk factors include Family history of heart disease Carrying extra weight around the waist Abnormal cholesterol levels High blood pressure Smoking Some people who have diabetic heart disease have no signs or symptoms of heart disease. Others have some or all of the symptoms of heart disease. Treatments include medications to treat heart damage or to lower your blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol. If you are not already taking a low dose of aspirin every day, your doctor may suggest it. You also may need surgery or some other medical procedure. Lifestyle changes also help. These include a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and quitting smoking. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Related Issues All about Cholesterol American Diabetes Association All about Insulin Resistance American Diabetes Association All about Quitting Smoking American Diabetes Association Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, and Heart Protection Hormone Health Network Find an Expert American Diabetes Association American Diabetes Association American Heart Association American Heart Association Directory of Diabetes Organizations National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Start Here Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes American Heart Association Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Diabetic Heart Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Diabetes Mellitus National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Diabetic Cardiomyopathies National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Heart Diseases National Institutes of Health Living With Cook with Heart-Healthy Foods American Diabetes Association Diabetes-Friendly Recipes American Heart Association Living with Diabetic Heart Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Protect Your Heart: Check Food Labels to Make Heart-Healthy Choices American Diabetes Association Protect Your Heart: Choose Healthy Fats American Diabetes Association Protect Your Heart: Make Smart Food Choices American Diabetes Association Women Coronary Heart Disease American Diabetes Association Major Risk Factors for Heart Disease: Diabetes National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute You Are the Heart of Your Family — Take Care of It National Diabetes Education Program Encyclopedia Diabetes – preventing heart attack and stroke Patient Handouts Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke National Diabetes Education Program Diagnosis and Tests Heart Health Tests for Diabetes Patients American Heart Association How Is Diabetic Heart Disease Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Treatments and Therapies How Is Diabetic Heart Disease Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Medical Tests and Procedures for Finding and Treating Heart and Blood Vessel Disease American Diabetes Association Symptoms Know the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack American Diabetes Association What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Heart Disease? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Videos and Tutorials Know Your Diabetes ABCs National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Statistics and Research Link between Hypoglycemia and Cardiac Arrhythmias: An Answer to Why Tight Glycemic Control May Increase Mortality in People with Diabetes American Diabetes Association Patient Access to Research American Diabetes Association Prevention and Risk Factors Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Heart and Blood Vessels Healthy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Taking Aspirin to Protect Your Heart American Diabetes Association Taking Care of Your Diabetes Means Taking Care of Your Heart National Diabetes Education Program Taking Care of Your Heart American Diabetes Association Journal Articles Diabetic Heart Disease