National DIABETES HEART CONNECTION Day

Last Thursday, November 9, was National Diabetes – Heart Connection Day– a day to recognize the interrelations between diabetes and heart disease and the combined public health burden that they cause. The statistics are staggering: People with type 2 diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and live 7-8 years less. Furthermore, more than 25% of the cost of treating diabetes relates to cardiovascular complications. For more on this connection, check out the following resources from the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.

The combined effects of diabetes and heart disease are serious – and they can become even more serious when arthritis is involved too. Those with diabetes and/or heart disease are more likely to have arthritis than the general population – in fact, almost half of those with heart disease or diabetes also have arthritis. When these conditions are combined, they can lead to a vicious cycle. Those with arthritis may find it more difficult to exercise, which can lead to extra body weight, increased heart and/or diabetes symptoms, worse joint pain, and less movement.

 

What can we do?

Physical activity is the best first line treatment for heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, so getting moving can help you manage all three conditions! Movement can be difficult for those with joint pain or disability, but participating in arthritis-appropriate exercise programs like these can help you exercise safely, comfortably, and enjoyable.

Check out our Active Living Resource page for ways to keep moving with arthritis!

Join the Conversation

• Use the hashtag #DiabetesHeartConnectionand #NDHCDon Twitter.
• Visit the National Diabetes Heart Connection Day page for more information.
• Visit the Arthritis Foundation to learn more about how osteoarthritis relates to diabetes and heart disease.

Post to Share

Twitter:

People with diagnosed #diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have #arthritis, indicating a diabetes-arthritis connection. #DiabetesHeartConnection http://bit.ly/29P2Qa7

Diabetes causes #musculoskeletal changes that lead to symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness. #NDHCD  #Standup2OA

About half of people with heart disease or diabetes also have #arthritis. Physical activity helps manage all of these diseases http://unc.live/2z5wxuK #standup2oa.

Facebook:

Dr. David Felson talks about the relationship between type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. He said that “Type 2 diabetes is [largely] a disease of people who are overweight or obese, and overweight and obesity are big risk factors for knee and hip OA.” Read more here.

Engaging in about 30 minutes of physical activity on as many days of the week as possible helps keep your weight down, your joints lubed and your blood sugar normal, not to mention to decrease your risk of heart disease – a top health risk associated with both arthritis and diabetes.