Understanding the link between diabetes and heart health
The University of Kentucky Public Relations & Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week’s column is by Jennifer O’Bryan, diabetes care and education manager for UK HealthCare’s Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2026) — Many individuals are surprised to learn that diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar; it also greatly increases the risk of developing heart disease. The good news is that there are many steps people can take to protect their hearts, and small changes truly can make a big difference.
This heart-healthy diabetes resource is here to give you simple, useful advice to help you take care of both your heart and your body’s energy systems.
Heart disease is affected by many things, and some of them can be prevented or controlled. These include high blood pressure, being overweight, high cholesterol, smoking or vaping, diabetes, drinking too much alcohol and not getting enough exercise.
Acknowledging early warning signs is important. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, extreme fatigue, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, leg pain while walking, swelling in the legs, slow healing sores or difficulty breathing or speaking during activity. If any of these symptoms occur, seek care right away.
For those with diabetes, heart health deserves special attention. Diabetes more than doubles the risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition caused by plaque buildup inside the arteries. According to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, a healthy blood pressure is defined as a systolic reading of 120-129 mmHg and a diastolic reading below 80 mmHg.
Lifestyle changes are some of the most effective tools for reducing cardiovascular risk. Adults are encouraged to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity each week. A heart healthy diet includes 8-10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables and limiting sodium intake to fewer than 2,300 mg per day. Foods rich in soluble fiber, such as beans, lentils, peas and oats, and heart healthy fats like olive or sunflower oil, help support healthy cholesterol levels. Controlling stress through counseling, mindfulness, movement or other techniques provides additional benefit.
Structured diabetes support can produce a meaningful difference. Diabetes self management education and support (DSMES) and medical nutrition therapy help individuals build skills for daily diabetes care. Many insurance plans cover DSMES when provided through accredited programs recognized by the American Diabetes Association or the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.
Taking charge of your heart health while managing diabetes doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Small, consistent changes, paired with the right education and support, can bring about meaningful improvements in your long term health. We encourage you to partner with your health care team, ask questions and explore the resources available to you. Your heart matters. Every step you take toward healthier habits is a move toward a stronger future.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.