People living with type 2 diabetes tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than those without the condition, but many don’t realize they face a higher risk.

A recent survey of people age 45 and older with type 2 diabetes conducted online by The Harris Poll found that only about one-half recognize their risk or have discussed their risk for heart attacks or strokes with their healthcare providers.

Now, a collaborative effort by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has been aiming to change that.

Called Know Diabetes by Heart, the campaign has been reaching out to individuals with type 2 diabetes to apply online through June 12, 2019, to share their experiences on how they are coping with the condition. By having participants share personal stories, the AHA and ADA hope to educate others on the connection between heart disease and diabetes and inspire them to take action to improve their health.

The campaign is also backed by star power. Motivated by the loss of her mother, the actress Angela Bassett announced that she was joining the effort on May 30. Bassett’s mother, Betty Jane Bassett, had lived with type 2 diabetes and died of heart disease in 2014 at the age of 78.

“Losing my mother was a wake-up call to start talking about the risk of heart disease with my family members who also have type 2 diabetes, like my uncle Ralph, and to also maintain control of my health,” Bassett told Everyday Health.

Bassett is well aware that genetics can play a major role in developing the condition — a risk that increases with the number of family members affected. Eating healthy and exercising regularly, however, can cut that risk by more than one-half, according to previous research.

“I make a point to see my doctor every year for my annual checkup but also to ask questions when something feels off,” she says. “I’m also very regimented with my diet and eat lots of fruit and vegetables, limiting carbs and dairy. I prioritize workouts as well.”

How Diabetes and Heart Disease Are Related

The connection between diabetes and heart disease starts with high blood sugar levels. Over time, the high glucose in the bloodstream can damage the arteries, causing them to become stiff and hard. Fatty material builds up on the inside of these blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can eventually block blood flow to the heart or brain, leading to heart attack or stroke, which are the main causes of premature death for people with diabetes.

In America, every 80 seconds an adult with diabetes is hospitalized with heart disease, and every two minutes an adult with diabetes is hospitalized with stroke, according to Know Diabetes by Heart.

“I was shocked to learn about the severe impact of type 2 diabetes and heart disease on Americans’ health, and I wish my family had known more about the link between these two conditions before my mother’s passing,” says Bassett. “As part of the Know Diabetes by Heart initiative, my goal is to help people understand this link and help people living with type 2 diabetes to reduce their risk.”

Do You Have Diabetes and Not Know It?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 4 people with diabetes doesn’t know he or she has it. For those who have prediabetes, that number soars to 9 out of 10.

“Many people are not aware that they are suffering from diabetes until they have a health crisis,” says Sarah Samaan, MD, a cardiologist with Baylor Scott & White Legacy Heart Center in Plano, Texas. “At that point, they may already be suffering the consequences of untreated diabetes, such as heart disease, kidney failure, or complicated infection.”

Dr. Samaan stresses that regular checkups with a doctor, including routine blood work, will catch the disease in its earliest stages and allow individuals and their physicians the opportunity to head off these more severe outcomes.

Tracey D. Brown, chief executive officer of the American Diabetes Association, says that people who do not know their diabetes status can take a good first step by taking a simple diabetes assessment on the ADA's website.

Brown, who has type 2 diabetes herself, assures those who are diagnosed that diabetes is not a death sentence.

“I want people to know they can control diabetes; diabetes doesn’t control them,” she says. “Be empowered and make choices that allow you to thrive.”

Protecting Your Heart When You Have Diabetes

Keeping blood sugar under control helps diabetes patients prevent heart disease. For Brown, and other diabetes patients, this means eating a low-carb diet, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, managing stress, and getting a good night’s sleep.

By sticking to these healthy practices, Brown has been able cut back her diabetes medication.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) notes that lowering heart disease risk with diabetes comes down to following the ABCS:

A is for the A1C test. The A1C test gives an average blood sugar level, which helps patients track how well they are managing diabetes.

B is for blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease. Keeping your numbers under control can lower the chances of heart attack and stroke.

C is for cholesterol. When bad cholesterol levels are within target range, cardiovascular risks go down, so knowing these levels can help ward off heart problems.

S is for stoping smoking. Smoking with diabetes narrows the blood vessels and overworks the heart.

“The important thing is to consult with your doctor and healthcare team to come up with a plan to manage diabetes, and utilize the resources available to you, many of which are available on Diabetes.org,” says Brown.

Through sharing stories, the Know Diabetes By Heart program intends to educate patients and introduce them to a supportive community. Some may be reluctant to admit they have diabetes or talk about it because of the stigma.

“Some people assume that if you have diabetes, you caused it yourself or you did it to yourself,” says Brown. “This just is not true.”

She says that Know Diabetes By Heart may help people educate and empower themselves.

Samaan adds, “Hearing other people’s stories makes the disease more personal, and may help to remove the stigma that some people may feel about having diabetes.”