The Association Between Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: The “For Your SweetHeart™” Survey

INTRODUCTION: It is unclear whether patients and their loved ones appreciate that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the degree of awareness regarding the link between T2DM and CVD. METHODS: An online survey was conducted among US adults (general population) and adults with self-reported T2DM. RESULTS: Of 13,027 participants recruited, 1505 completed the survey (12% response rate): 501 with T2DM and 1004 from the general population, of whom 364 knew someone with T2DM (e.g., partner, friend, relative, colleague: “SweetHearts”). Of those with T2DM, 52% were unaware that patients with T2DM are at increased risk of CVD and related macrovascular events. People with T2DM were more likely to be aware of the increased risk of microvascular disease (blindness [57%], nephropathy [57%], neuropathy [64%]) than macrovascular disease (myocardial infarction [41%], stroke [43%]). Despite CVD being the leading cause of death in T2DM, 67% of those with T2DM and 69% of SweetHearts were unaware of this, similar figures to those of the general population (74%). People with T2DM indicated they would take preventive measures if they were aware of their increased CVD risk: 88% would modify their diet and 81% would talk to their healthcare provider. Respondents with T2DM (73%) indicated that a desire to live longer/spend more time with family would motivate them to decrease their CVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that education regarding the association between T2DM and CVD in patients and their loved ones is warranted. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Plain language summary available for this article. Please see Fig. 1 and the following link: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7546817. FUNDING: The “For Your SweetHeart™” survey was supported by the Boehringer Ingelheim & Eli Lilly and Company Diabetes Alliance, and was developed in partnership with KRC Research.