2 in 3 people with type 2 diabetes have cardiovascular disease risk factors

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in partnership with Novo Nordisk has announced the results from the 'Taking Diabetes to Heart' survey recently. The global survey investigated cardiovascular disease (CVD) awareness among 12,695 people with type 2 diabetes and revealed that 2 in 3 had CVD risk factors such as high blood pressure, uncontrolled blood glucose levels and high cholesterol and/or had experienced a CVD event such as angina, heart attack, stroke or heart failure.

However, 1 in 4 respondents had never discussed, or cannot remember discussing, CVD risk factors with a doctor and only 1 in 4 considered themselves to be at low risk of CVD.

Diabetes currently affects 425 million adults worldwide, with most cases being type 2 diabetes. CVD, which includes stroke, coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, is the leading cause of disability and death in people with type 2 diabetes.

In the 'Taking Diabetes to Heart' survey, 3 in 4 people with type 2 diabetes said they relied on information about CVD from their doctor. More than half of respondents said they needed more information about the risk factors associated with the development of CVD to better understand the risks in order to help prevent them.

"Cardiovascular disease can have a devastating impact on the lives of people with type 2 diabetes and their families," said Professor Stephen Gough, global chief medical officer of Novo Nordisk. "The IDF survey findings are striking and reinforce the importance of raising awareness of CVD risk and its impact on people living with type 2 diabetes. We are committed to continue working with IDF while utilising these global findings to inform future efforts that can help improve health outcomes."

'Taking Diabetes to Heart' will culminate in a comprehensive report with regional and country-specific results and resources to help support knowledge and awareness of CVD among people with type 2 diabetes and those at risk around the world.