Fewer than one in five adults with type 2 diabetes meet suggested targets designed to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to new a new scientific statement published in Circulation.
“This new scientific statement is an urgent call to action to follow the latest evidence-based approaches and to develop new best practices to advance type 2 diabetes treatment and care and reduce CVD risk,” Joshua J. Joseph, MD, chair of the statement's writing group and an assistant professor of medicine at the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, said in a prepared statement. “Far too few people—less than 20% of those with type 2 diabetes—are successfully managing their heart disease risk, and far too many are struggling to stop smoking and lose weight, two key CVD risk factors. Healthcare professionals, the healthcare industry and broader community organizations all have an important role to play in supporting people with Type 2 diabetes."
Data for the scientific statement is from the writing group’s comprehensive review of clinical trial results through June 2020. Adhering to an overall healthier lifestyle, the group found, can lead to a significant reduction in a person risk of CVD and CVD mortality.
The management of blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels is important for anyone living with type 2 diabetes, the group emphasized. Recommendations also include staying active, eating a healthy diet, managing one's weight, not smoking, eliminating alcohol and seeking mental healthcare.
Socioeconomic factors, environmental factors and structural racism also have a major impact on CVD and type 2 diabetes outcomes
“People with type 2 diabetes face numerous barriers to health including access to care and equitable care, which must be considered when developing individualized care plans with our patients,” Joseph said in the same statement.
The writing group also pointed to the need for clinicians and patients to review and update type 2 diabetes management strategies so that they address CVD risk factors with much more detail. In addition, healthcare providers should keep in mind the impact that financial limitations can have on a patient's lifestyle.
“Cost may be a barrier to taking some type 2 diabetes medications as prescribed, however, many of these medications are now more commonly covered by more health insurance plans,” Joseph said. “Another barrier is recognition by patients that these newer type 2 diabetes medications are also effective in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.”
Read the full scientific statement here.