4 Go-To Resources for Diabetic Heart Disease Management

Manage your condition with the help of these dependable, highly regarded resources.

computer, laptop, research

Updated on January 11, 2024.

Diabetic heart disease (DHD) is a type of heart disease that affects people with types 1 and 2 diabetes. Lifestyle factors like diet, activity, stress levels, and smoking can increase the risk of DHD, but anyone living with diabetes also has an increased chance of developing the condition, due to higher levels of blood sugar. It can raise the odds of DHD, specifically illnesses like coronary heart disease, heart failure, and diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Receiving a DHD diagnosis can be scary, but lifestyle changes and prescribed medications can help improve the condition. Get the expert-backed information you need to take control of your DHD from these trusted sources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC): A leader in the health of Americans, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides an excellent overview and explanation of DHD. If you’ve just been diagnosed and want to read up on the condition, start here.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Like the CDC, the NIDDK provides an overview of DHD, so you can better understand the condition and its effects on the body. It also offers important details on clinical trials for people with DHD.  

American Diabetes Association: Stay up to date on the most recent news, advances and treatment options in DHD. Get easy-to-implement lifestyle changes and recipes, connect with other people with DHD and spread awareness with the American Diabetes Association.  

American Heart Association: With a major focus on heart health, the American Heart Association has a ton of helpful information on diabetes, including symptoms, diagnosis, and management of the condition. Get advice on prevention, treatment options, and diabetes-friendly, healthy lifestyle tips, too.

Article sources open article sources

Ritchie RH, Abel ED. Basic Mechanisms of Diabetic Heart Disease. Circulation Research. 2020;126:1501–1525.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What Is Coronary Heart Disease? Updated December 20, 2023.

More On

What happens during an implantable cardioverter defibrillator procedure?

video

What happens during an implantable cardioverter defibrillator procedure?
Cardiologist Dr. Mehrdad Kevin Ariani explains what happens during an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) procedure. Watch this Ask the Expe...
Heart Disease Risks That Affect Women

article

Heart Disease Risks That Affect Women
Learn what can make women more likely to develop heart problems and how to reduce these risks.
The Ultimate Guide to Reversing Heart Disease

slideshow

The Ultimate Guide to Reversing Heart Disease
Stop the leading cause of death in its tracks with simple lifestyle changes.
What types of heart diseases are treated with surgery?

video

What types of heart diseases are treated with surgery?
Sometimes it takes more than medicine to treat heart disease. In this video, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Emile Bacha discusses when and why heart disea...
Is obesity always a risk factor for heart disease?

video

Is obesity always a risk factor for heart disease?
Obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are all major risk factors for heart disease. Ask the Experts car...