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The NDSS is administered by Diabetes Australia
The NDSS is administered by Diabetes Australia
Languages
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.

An informational fact sheet from NDSS titled 'Physical activity'. The text explains the health benefits of regular exercise for managing diabetes, covering different types of physical activities. It features a large header image at the top showing a smiling woman sitting in a grassy park looking at a personal trainer or friend, accompanied by structured text columns, bright orange headings, and orange bulleted lists outlining benefits and tips.
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.

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Diabetes and your blood pressure'. The header features a photograph of a healthcare worker applying a blood pressure cuff to a patient's arm. The document contains medical guidance text, an illustrative diagram comparing normal blood pressure to high blood pressure inside an artery, and actionable advice on monitoring and managing blood pressure levels
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.

Download

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.

An informational fact sheet from NDSS titled 'Physical activity'. The text explains the health benefits of regular exercise for managing diabetes, covering different types of physical activities. It features a large header image at the top showing a smiling woman sitting in a grassy park looking at a personal trainer or friend, accompanied by structured text columns, bright orange headings, and orange bulleted lists outlining benefits and tips.
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.

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Healthy food choices', offering guidance on balanced eating for managing diabetes. The header image at the top shows a top-down view of food preparation, featuring hands mixing green leaves in a bowl alongside sliced avocados, red apples, and a knife on a wooden board. Below the orange title, the text explains healthy eating principles and includes bulleted tips. A circular pie chart on the right side illustrates healthy plate proportions: half the plate for non-starchy vegetables or salad, one-quarter for lean protein foods, and one-quarter for grain foods or starchy vegetables.
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.

An NDSS
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.

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Your diabetes annual cycle of care', outlining the checklist for reviewing diabetes management and general health each year. The header image depicts a medical consultation, showing a female doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope talking to an older male patient in a clinic room. Below the blue title, the text details yearly health checks, featuring a subsection on HbA1c on the left and sections regarding blood pressure and foot checks on the right.
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
A light blue promotional graphic featuring text that reads 'Have you listened to our Diabetes Annual Cycle of Care Podcast?'. Below the main text, there is a dark blue rectangular button containing the words 'LISTEN TODAY
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

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Diabetes-related complications', which outlines long-term health risks and management strategies for people living with diabetes. The header image at the top shows a woman and a young child smiling while gardening together outdoors. Below the blue title, the text is split into two columns under blue headings: the left column lists different types of complications affecting areas like the eyes, feet, and cardiovascular system, while the right column focuses on ways to reduce these risks.
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
An informational fact sheet from NDSS titled 'Physical activity'. The text explains the health benefits of regular exercise for managing diabetes, covering different types of physical activities. It features a large header image at the top showing a smiling woman sitting in a grassy park looking at a personal trainer or friend, accompanied by structured text columns, bright orange headings, and orange bulleted lists outlining benefits and tips.
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
An NDSS
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
An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Healthy food choices', offering guidance on balanced eating for managing diabetes. The header image at the top shows a top-down view of food preparation, featuring hands mixing green leaves in a bowl alongside sliced avocados, red apples, and a knife on a wooden board. Below the orange title, the text explains healthy eating principles and includes bulleted tips. A circular pie chart on the right side illustrates healthy plate proportions: half the plate for non-starchy vegetables or salad, one-quarter for lean protein foods, and one-quarter for grain foods or starchy vegetables.
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
An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Your diabetes annual cycle of care', outlining the checklist for reviewing diabetes management and general health each year. The header image depicts a medical consultation, showing a female doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope talking to an older male patient in a clinic room. Below the blue title, the text details yearly health checks, featuring a subsection on HbA1c on the left and sections regarding blood pressure and foot checks on the right.
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