A Podcast on Patient and Physician Perspectives in the Holistic Care of Heart-Related Challenges of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) frequently coexists with cardiorenal complications. Therefore, a holistic approach to patient management is required, with specialists such as primary care physicians, cardiologists, endocrinologists, and nephrologists working together to provide patient care. Although glycemic control is important in the management of T2D, patients with T2D and acceptable glycemic control are still at risk from cardiovascular (CV) events such as stroke, heart attack, and heart failure (HF). Therefore, management of other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking cessation, and excess bodyweight, are imperative for reducing the risk of CV disease and HF in patients with T2D. In addition to pharmacological interventions, patient self-care, including beneficial dietary changes, regular exercise, and smoking cessation are critical for improving heart health and reducing the risk of CV events and progression of HF. In this podcast, a patient with lived experience of the heart-related challenges of T2D and a cardiologist discuss the link between T2D and heart-related complications, the pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications that can be used to reduce the risk of CV events and prevent HF, and the complexities of engaging with the healthcare system when managing multiple comorbidities. The discussion highlights the importance of patient education and empowerment for the management of heart-related challenges of T2D, and the central role of collaborative care between physicians of multiple specialties to reduce CV risk for patients with T2D.