More heart attacks in diabetes? Here’s what you should know

If you have type 2 diabetes (T2D), you might have heard about how it can affect your heart. Yes, it’s true, people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience heart problems or strokes. But here’s some encouraging news: medical breakthroughs are changing things for the better. Nowadays, many people with T2D are experiencing fewer heart attacks, strokes, and other heart-related issues, thanks to a new generation of diabetes treatments that do more than just control blood sugar.

Let’s take a look at how these exciting advancements are truly making a positive difference.

The link between T2D and heart disease
Diabetes and heart disease are deeply connected. When your blood sugar stays high over time, it damages blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. That damage leads to high blood pressure, cholesterol buildup inside blood vessels, and inflammation, all of which raise the risk of heart disease.^1-4

Even more, many people with T2D also struggle with obesity, which increases strain on the heart, fuels insulin resistance, and makes cardiovascular disease (CVD) more likely. It’s a dangerous cycle, but one that can now be interrupted.

New treatments that target both problems

Recent developments in diabetes care may also additionally support both weight management and cardiovascular health. These options are part of a broader approach to managing type 2 diabetes.⁵ These options may not only lower blood sugar but also provide additional benefits such as:

• Improve cholesterol profiles

• Reduce the risk of heart-related hospitalizations and death

Moving beyond just controlling blood glucose, doctors today focus on holistic, whole-body health, protecting your heart, brain, liver, kidneys, etc. It’s wise to discuss these options with your doctor to see if they are suitable for you.

Why weight loss matters
Obesity goes beyond just a number on the scale; it is a significant factor contributing to both diabetes and heart disease. Excess fat around vital organs, especially in the abdomen, can cause insulin resistance and promote inflammation in blood vessels.^9,10

Talk to your doctor about strategies to lose excess weight, which can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and decrease the risk of heart problems. For many people, this can be a transformative change.

What should you do?
If you have T2D or even just risk factors like obesity or prediabetes, consider talking with your doctor. You might want to ask about:

1. Your heart disease risk
2. How your current treatment plan addresses both diabetes and heart health
3. How losing weight could lower your long-term health risks

Managing diabetes and heart health can feel challenging, but with the right support and plan, you can protect your heart, achieve weight loss, and take charge of your health.

Key Takeaways

• In addition to managing blood sugar, certain recent diabetes therapies may also offer cardiovascular benefits.

• Obesity and high blood sugar together raise heart disease risk in people with T2D.

• Some recent clinical studies suggest that certain diabetes treatments may also contribute to improved cardiovascular outcomes and fewer hospitalisations.

• Losing excess weight plays a major role in reducing both diabetes complications and heart disease risk.

References:

1. Giraldo-Gonzalez GC, Roman-Gonzalez A, Cañas F, Garcia A. Molecular Mechanisms of Type 2 Diabetes-Related Heart Disease and Therapeutic Insights. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025;26(10):4548.
2. Lui DTW, Li L, Liu X, et al. The association of HDL-cholesterol levels with incident major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in 0.6 million individuals with type 2 diabetes: a population-based retrospective cohort study. BMC Medicine. 2024;22:586.
3. Amarenco P, Kim JS, Labreuche J, et al. Impact of lower versus higher LDL cholesterol targets on cardiovascular events after ischemic stroke in patients with diabetes. Diabetes. 2021;70(8):1807–1815.
4. Eliasson B, Gudbjörnsdottir S, Zethelius B, et al. LDL-cholesterol versus non-HDL-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio and risk for coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 2014;21(11):1420–1428.
5. Kramer, C, Borlaug, B, Zile, M. et al. Tirzepatide Reduces LV Mass and Paracardiac Adipose Tissue in Obesity-Related Heart Failure: SUMMIT CMR Substudy. JACC. 2025;85(7):699–706.
6. Steven P. Marso, Gilbert H. Daniels, et al. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2016;375:311-322.
7. Bernard Zinman, Christoph Wanner, et al. Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2117-2128.
8. A. Michael Lincoff, Kirstine Brown-Frandsen, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221-2232.
9. Chandrasekaran P, Weiskirchen R. The Role of Obesity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus—An Overview. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(3):1882.
10. Brown OI, Drozd M, McGowan H, Giannoudi M, Conning-Rowland M, Gierula J, Straw S, Wheatcroft SB, Bridge K, Roberts LD, Levelt E, Ajjan R, Griffin KJ, Bailey MA, Kearney MT, Cubbon RM. Relationship Among Diabetes, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Disease Phenotypes: A UK Biobank Cohort Study. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(8):1531-1540.

Disclaimer: This content is part of a disease awareness initiative by Novo Nordisk. The opinions and views are that of the Healthcare Professionals. The news and editorial staff of ET had no role in the creation of this article nor vouch for or endorse any of its content. While the content on this site provides general information about health and wellbeing. It is not intended as medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you need help getting your health under control, we recommend speaking to your doctor.