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Heart health

Heart disease

People with diabetes are 2–4 times more likely to develop heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, including heart attacks.

You can reduce your risk by managing your diabetes and having regular health checks and timely treatment. Heart and blood vessel problems cause less damage when detected and treated early.

Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and help reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Carrying excess weight, especially around your waist, is also a major risk factor for heart disease.

High blood pressure is common in people with diabetes. High blood pressure can more than double the risk of heart disease. Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help manage your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease

Read more in our fact sheets.

Looking after your heart fact sheet

The main cause of heart disease is atherosclerosis. This is more common and develops at a younger age in people with diabetes. Have regular health checks.

Download now
Physical activity fact sheet

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to improve your general health. It can also help manage your diabetes.

Available in other languages Download now

To help you manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications, work with your diabetes health professional to set goals and fill in a personalised Information Prescription. Information Prescriptions help you understand and improve your health targets to manage your diabetes. Read more in in our Information Prescription.

Diabetes and your blood pressure Information Prescription

People with diabetes and high blood pressure are at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. By lowering your blood pressure, you can significantly reduce your risk.

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Often people do not know they have heart disease until they develop symptoms.

These symptoms can be:

  • chest pain or heaviness
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness or faintness
  • arm or jaw discomfort
  • weakness
  • nausea.

These symptoms require urgent medical attention.

If you have had diabetes for a long time and have nerve damage, you may not notice some or any symptoms of heart disease. These symptoms are also less common in women.

If you think you might be having a heart attack, phone 000 IMMEDIATELY.

Discuss your individual risk factors and how to reduce them with your doctor or diabetes educator.

The risk is higher if you:

  • have high blood pressure
  • have high cholesterol
  • are above the healthy weight range or carry extra weight around your waist
  • are a smoker
  • have a family history of vascular disease.

There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Be physically active. Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and help reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke. A general guide is to aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise every day and resistance exercise at least 2–3 times a week. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Read more in our fact sheet.

Physical activity fact sheet

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to improve your general health. It can also help manage your diabetes.

Available in other languages Download now

Make healthy food and drink choices. A dietitian can help with the best food choices to reduce your risk of heart disease. Read more in our fact sheet.

Healthy food choices fact sheet

Healthy eating, along with regular physical activity, can help you look after your diabetes. It can also help you manage other risk factors like high blood pressure, or unhealthy cholesterol.

Download now

Keep blood fats in the target range. Keeping cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the target range will reduce your risk of heart disease. Discuss your blood fat targets with your doctor. Read more in cholesterol.

Manage high blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help manage your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other diabetes-related complications. Discuss your blood pressure targets with your doctor. Read more in blood pressure.

Try to lose weight if your weight is above the healthy range. Losing as little as 5–10% of your weight (for example, 5–10 kg for a 100 kg person) can reduce your risk of heart disease. Ask a dietitian for advice about best food choices to reduce your risk of heart disease. Read more in heart health.

Do not smoke. If you do, try and quit. Talk to your doctor or call the Quitline on 137 848.

Manage your blood glucose levels. Your doctor will advise what blood glucose targets is best for you. Read more in our fact sheet.

Blood glucose monitoring fact sheet

Checking your blood glucose levels can help you manage your diabetes. You will be able to see what makes your numbers go ‘up’ or ‘down’.

Available in other languages Download now

It is essential to do an annual cycle of care to find any health problems early. Without regular checks, diabetes can lead to health problems that can affect your whole body, including your kidneys, eyes, feet, nerves and heart. Ask your doctor for the timing of health checks and targets that meet your individual health needs.

Read more in our fact sheet or listen to our podcast series.

Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year.

Download now
Annual cycle of care podcast series

Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about what it is, why it’s important, and what you need to know about it.

Available in other languages Listen now

More information and support

  • Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 600 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator or dietitian.
  • Go to Heart Foundation for more information about heart disease.
Find a dietitian near you

Call Dietitians Australia on 1800 812 942 or you can find an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) on their website.

Go to Dietitians Australia
Find a diabetes educator near you

Go to Australian Diabetes Educators Association to find a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) on their website.

Go to Australian Diabetes Educators Association

Featured resources

Looking after your heart fact sheet

The main cause of heart disease is atherosclerosis. This is more common and develops at a younger age in people with diabetes. Have regular health checks.

Download now
Physical activity fact sheet

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to improve your general health. It can also help manage your diabetes.

Available in other languages Download now
Blood glucose monitoring fact sheet

Checking your blood glucose levels can help you manage your diabetes. You will be able to see what makes your numbers go ‘up’ or ‘down’.

Available in other languages Download now
Healthy food choices fact sheet

Healthy eating, along with regular physical activity, can help you look after your diabetes. It can also help you manage other risk factors like high blood pressure, or unhealthy cholesterol.

Download now
Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year.

Download now
Diabetes-related complications fact sheet

Looking after your diabetes is important for your long-term health. If your diabetes is well managed and you take care of your general health, you can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Download now

Diabetes Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. We recognise their connection to land, waters, winds and culture. We pay the upmost respect to them, their cultures and to their Elders, past and present. We are committed to improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by diabetes and those at risk.

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