Educational Campaign Launched to Increase Awareness of Link Between Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes

In an effort to bridge the knowledge gap, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly have launched a campaign aimed at educating individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) about the increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The educational campaignFor Your SweetHeart: Where diabetes and heart disease meetwas launched after a national survey of 1500 adults revealed that 2 of every 3 adults with T2D were unaware that heart disease is the number 1 killer of individuals with T2D, according to apress release.

Furthermore, the survey found that more than half of adults with T2D didn’t understand that they’re at an increased risk for heart disease and related life-threatening events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death.

Boehringer and Eli Lilly developed and sponsored the campaign to “raise awareness of the link between diabetes and heart disease and to encourage people with type 2 diabetes to now their heart disease risk and speak to their health care provider, for the sake of their health and the people they cherish the most,” according to the release.

“The truth is cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, but there is hope,” Paul Fonteyne, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim, said in the release. “The earlier people with diabetes understand this risk, the sooner they become engaged and take action to help reduce their chances of heart attacks, strokes, or even death. We’re excited to launchFor Your SweetHeartto encourage people with type 2 diabetes to assess their risk through theHeart Your Quizand to speak with their health care provider about the link between diabetes and heart disease. The most important thing people can do is know everything they can about their health and encourage their loved ones to do the same.”

TheHeart You Quizis a questionnaire that will help people with T2D and those who care about them learn more about their risk for heart disease. The quiz was reviewed and validated by a steering committee of leading cardiologists and endocrinologists, according to a Boehringerpress release.

“People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to developcardiovascular diseasethan people without diabetes,” Mike Mason, vice president of US Lilly Diabetes, said in a press release. “Educating the public about this important health crisis is just another component of our responsibility and commitment to delivering the best care for people with type 2 diabetes. We hope this initiative will encourage people to take action, not only for themselves, but also for their sweethearts.”