Know Diabetes by Heart Program Empowers Patients & Caregivers
In a recent edition, Real World Health Care profiled CardioSmart, a program from the American College of Cardiology designed to help patients and health care providers share in decision-making around diabetes and cardiovascular disease management.
In this edition, we shine our spotlight on Know Diabetes by Heart™, a joint program of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This groundbreaking initiative was launched to help reduce cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes in people living with type 2 diabetes.
Teri Hernandez
“The frequent coexistence of diabetes and heart disease prompted both groups, along with other invested partners, to join together and raise awareness of the connection between the two conditions,” explains Teri Hernandez, PhD, RN, Associate Dean for Research in the College of Nursing at the University of Colorado, and AHA spokesperson. “It has been an incredibly powerful partnership between the two organizations in terms of giving people the resources, knowledge and empowerment they need to manage and address their risk factors.”
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Does One Lead to Another?
According to Dr. Hernandez, the connection between cardiovascular disease and diabetes is usually framed around having diabetes and then developing cardiovascular disease. However, that is not always the case. Both diseases share common risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure, cholesterol, lipid, and blood glucose levels.
“Patients with cardiovascular disease may not start out with diabetes, but over time, risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, such as high body weight and lipid levels, can cause stress in the pancreas, thus limiting the amount of insulin created,” she says. “As a result, you get the ‘perfect storm’ for both issues to co-exist. I saw this early in my career as a cardiac nurse when many of my cardiac patients also required insulin injections for diabetes.”
Tailored Support for Patients and Caregivers
One of the unique aspects of the Know Diabetes by Heart program is the way in which it serves three unique groups: those new to type 2 diabetes, those managing their type 2 diabetes, and those caring for someone with type 2 diabetes.
For those new to diabetes, Know Diabetes by Heart offers resources to help patients begin their heart care journey, understand their risk factors, and play an active role in their health care. Those managing their type 2 diabetes can access resources to help them maintain their commitment to reducing risk factors and prioritize their mental health. The program encourages family caregivers to help their loved ones with type 2 diabetes learn about their risk of heart disease and stroke and take better care of their heart.
“Caregivers are a particularly important and vulnerable group,” Dr. Hernandez says. “They often sacrifice their own self-care to care for their loved one. They may live with a chronic condition themselves or develop one over time – often the same condition facing their loved one. The same lifestyle risk factors for diabetes and heart disease are now becoming common in the caregiver population.”
Diabetes and Heart Health Learning Resources
One of the most popular elements of Know Diabetes by Heart is its e-learning modules that address risk factors, how to prevent heart disease and stroke, and how to be an active member of one’s health care team. The e-modules are available in both English and Spanish, and have been viewed more than 21,000 times.
An online and phone-based Ask-the-Expert Q&A series tackles some of the biggest issues commonly faced by people living with diabetes. It features different expert speakers – cardiologists, nutritionists, social workers, exercise physiologists, and certified diabetes educators – every month and gives participants an opportunity to ask questions in a safe and understanding space. The sessions are free and open to people living with diabetes, their caregivers, and community members.
Know Diabetes by Heart also shares:
- Inspiring stories from others who are managing their type 2 diabetes and modifying their risk for heart disease and stroke.
- A video library designed to help those living with diabetes feel more confident about taking an active role in their health.
- Recipes designed to help those living with diabetes eat nutritious food to help reduce their risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Know Diabetes by Heart participant Jacqueline Alikhaani praises the program, saying, “When I joined Know Diabetes by Heart, I learned that heart disease and diabetes are related. I have also learned that if you are diagnosed, you can treat it. And if you can treat it, you can beat it. My journey has been a continuous commitment toward long-term lifestyle changes in the way I eat and exercise. Some of my favorite Know Diabetes by Heart program resources and services are the newsletter, Ask the Expert support series, and programming targeting kidney health. KDBH is diverse and has something for everyone to learn from. I especially love that via KDBH, I know that I am not alone. Taking advantage of KDBH’s practical educational resources and services helps guide me on my road to achieving and maintaining heart health.”