NEWS Fitness and Nutrition News New Report Outlines Heart Health Goals for People With Type 2 Diabetes By Cara Rosenbloom, RD Cara Rosenbloom, RD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Cara Rosenbloom RD is a dietitian, journalist, book author, and the founder of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company in Toronto, ON. Learn about our editorial process Published on February 15, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr LinkedIn Twitter Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Print fcafotodigital / Getty Images Key Takeaways People with Type 2 diabetes are at high risk for heart disease.Lifestyle factors such as eating well, being active, and staying knowledgeable about your medical conditions may help reduce heart disease risk in people with Type 2 diabetes.There is no specific diabetes diet, but there are several dietary patterns that may be helpful. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of illness for people with Type 2 diabetes, but lifestyle factors can help reduce the risk. The American Heart Association (AHA) released a new Scientific Statement with advice for mitigating the risk of heart disease for people with Type 2 diabetes. "It is estimated that having diabetes can double the risk of heart disease or stroke," says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, a dietitian, diabetes expert, and the author of "2 Day Diabetes Diet." "In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes." 10 Diet and Lifestyle Changes to Boost Heart Health About the Scientific Statement Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes a variety of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease. The new statement from the AHA outlines updated research on managing heart disease risk factors, including new information about anti-hyperglycemic medications that can help improve glycemic control. There are a number of lifestyle changes that can help people with Type 2 diabetes manage cardiovascular disease risk factors, including nutrition, physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, increased education, and psychosocial care. In fact, the AHA statement indicates that adults with Type 2 diabetes that adhere to an overall healthy lifestyle experience a substantially lower risk of incident CVD. AHA Offers New Dietary Guidance to Improve Heart Health Nutrition and Diet There is no specific "diabetes diet" that helps everyone. Instead, a customized approach is important for CVD risk reduction. The right diet is one that is acceptable, affordable, and accessible, while balancing medical needs and personal preferences. For success, a dietitian should be involved in the care plan. In fact, the AHA says that many different dietary patterns may be helpful. These include the Mediterranean, DASH, paleo, low-carbohydrate, high-protein, and vegetarian options. Erin Palinski-Wade RD, CDE No one diet works for every person with diabetes. You want to follow a meal plan that matches your health goals, but also works for your lifestyle and is one you can actually stick with. — Erin Palinski-Wade RD, CDE "No one diet works for every person with diabetes," says Palinski-Wade. "You want to follow a meal plan that matches your health goals, but also works for your lifestyle and is one you can actually stick with." Palinski-Wade says that instead of trying to make extreme changes, focus on making small changes you can be consistent with over time. For instance, she offers a number of tips that could be added gradually. These include filling half your plate with non-starchy vegetables at each meal, increasing fiber intake, reducing added sugars, and swapping out animal fats such as butter for more plant-based oils. "Once you choose your dietary pattern, the foods you select each day also make a difference and should be limited in saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium," adds Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, nutrition expert and author of the "Create-Your-Plate Diabetes Cookbook." Study Attempts to Determine if Mediterranean Diets Need to Be Organic Importance of Physical Activity Exercise is recommended for people with Type 2 diabetes because it helps improve blood sugar. It also helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation. Physical activity is also associated with a lower risk of CVD. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic activity per week. This can be spread out over at least three days, with no more than two consecutive days without activity. In addition to aerobic activity, such as walking, biking, dancing, or swimming, it is also important to include two or three sessions of resistance exercise each week. Some examples include planks, resistance bands, weight lifting, or push-ups. Finally, add in some flexibility and balance training like stretching or yoga two or three times per week. Midlife Exercise May Lower Chronic Disease Risk, Study Says Impact of Alcohol Intake Among individuals with Type 2 diabetes, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, particularly wine, has been associated with fewer heart attacks and some improved cardiometabolic measures. But, heavy alcohol consumption increases blood pressure levels and increases heart attack risk. Moderation is important when you have Type 2 diabetes. Toby Amidor MS, RD, CDN, FAND Alcohol adds calories and can also lead to a drop in blood glucose levels because alcohol blocks the production of glucose in the liver. — Toby Amidor MS, RD, CDN, FAND "Alcohol adds calories and can also lead to a drop in blood glucose levels because alcohol blocks the production of glucose in the liver," says Amidor. "Once the liver's stores of glucose are used up, a person who has been drinking alcohol can't make more right away, and that can lead to dangerously low blood glucose levels." If you do not drink alcohol, don't start. If you do drink alcohol, know that there is a potential risk of high blood pressure. Plus, alcohol makes it harder to manage blood sugar levels. Stick with no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. "One drink is defined as 12-fluid ounces of beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine, and 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof liquor like rum and vodka," explains Amidor. Alcohol Use Within Guidelines Still a Risk, Study Shows Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels Part of a healthy lifestyle also includes regular checkups, ongoing education, psychological support (as needed), and monitoring clinical parameters like blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Palinski-Wade says that, in addition to managing your diet, adding daily physical activity, managing stress levels, and getting adequate sleep can help promote healthy blood glucose and blood pressure levels. "People with diabetes should focus on keeping their blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels in as normal a range as possible to help to reduce their overall risk of developing heart disease," says Palinski-Wade. Elevated Heart Rate Linked to Dementia Risk, Study Says What This Means For You If you have Type 2 diabetes, it is important that you work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan, including appropriate eating and exercise plans. A registered dietitian can help you plan your menu. Overall, a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat may be helpful. Being physically active, getting regular check-ups, and monitoring alcohol intake also can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Can You Prevent Diabetes With Diet and Exercise? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cheng YJ, Imperatore G, Geiss LS, et al. Trends and disparities in cardiovascular mortality among u. S. Adults with and without self-reported diabetes, 1988–2015. Diabetes Care. 2018;41(11):2306-2315. doi:10.2337/dc18-0831 Joseph JJ, Deedwania P, Acharya T, et al. Comprehensive management of cardiovascular risk factors for adults with type 2 diabetes: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. Published online January 10, 2022. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001040 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How much physical activity do adults need?