A groundbreaking new partnership between Diabetes Australia and nib foundation will improve the lives of people living with both diabetes and disability.

The three-year initiative is one of the projects made possible by nib foundation’s recent Better Health Partner grant. Funds will enhance support for disability caregivers, equipping them with the specialised knowledge and practical skills needed to provide safe and effective diabetes care.

With this support from nib foundation, Diabetes Australia will kickstart the Safely Injecting Insulin program. The pilot program will train disability support workers so they have the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to safely inject insulin.  

Diabetes Australia Group CEO, Justine Cain, said the partnership represents a significant shift towards a more integrated and fairer model of care.

“We know that people living with both diabetes and disability face unique health challenges, and unfortunately, they often have limited access to appropriately trained carers,” Ms Cain said.

“This partnership with nib foundation will change lives by ensuring that people receive the right care at the right time, improving their overall health and quality of life.

“This initiative will also ease pressure on health professionals and the broader health system by ensuring that disability support workers have the confidence and skills to support a person living with diabetes.”

The goal is to ensure it becomes standard for every person living with diabetes and disability to have access to appropriately qualified carers. This will enable more timely and personalised care, reduce preventable complications, and create better overall health outcomes.

nib foundation CEO, Amy Tribe, emphasised the foundation’s commitment to reducing the burden of chronic disease and improving equitable access to care.

“Our vision at nib foundation is for all people to live longer in better health, and that means supporting innovative initiatives that enable prevention and health equity. This partnership with Diabetes Australia aligns with our mission to reduce disparities in healthcare and improve support for those who need it most,” Ms Tribe said.

“Working with the national peak body for people living with diabetes, we’re confident this partnership between Diabetes Australia and nib foundation will create real impact.

“By investing in partnerships that focus on early intervention and better health outcomes, we can help transform the healthcare experience for vulnerable populations, including people living with both diabetes and a disability.”

Over the long term, nib foundation and Diabetes Australia hope to use the pilot program’s data to build a compelling case for making the training an industry standard. 

About nib foundation

nib foundation was created in 2008 as an independent charitable trust following a $25 million donation from nib. These funds were raised through the issue of new shares at the time of listing nib on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in November 2007. Today, nib continues to support our mission of helping people and communities live healthier lives by providing unclaimed dividends from their shareholder base.

For more information: nib foundation

About Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, researchers and the community.

For more information: Diabetes Australia

New research from the University of Sydney reveals that the number of Australians living with diabetes may be up to 35 per cent higher than previously estimated.

The findings raise critical questions about the size of one of Australia’s most serious chronic health conditions.

The study, published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, applied a sophisticated algorithm to integrated health data from Medicare, hospital records, and pharmaceutical claims. The results suggest there could be more than two million Australians living with diabetes, many of whom are currently missing from the official diabetes register.

Lead author Emma Cox, PhD Candidate from the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, said the research highlights a much larger and more diverse population living with diabetes, particularly older Australians, people in remote areas, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“This isn’t just a data issue, it’s a public health issue,” Ms Cox said. “A significant number of Australians are missing from national statistics. That makes it harder to plan services, allocate funding, and deliver prevention strategies where they’re most needed.”

The research was partially funded in 2017 by a Diabetes Australia Research Trust grant and builds on longstanding calls for better integration of medical data to understand the true burden of chronic disease.

Professor Grant Brinkworth, Director of Research at Diabetes Australia, said the findings offer a compelling call to action.

“This study tells us what many of us in the sector have said for years: we’re not seeing the full picture of diabetes in Australia,” Professor Brinkworth said. “Understanding the true scale is essential if we want to improve outcomes for individuals and manage the national impact of this condition.”

The study also found that many people who are living with diabetes are managing the condition through lifestyle changes or medications like metformin, groups who may be less likely to register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).

“If people aren’t visible in the data, they’re also invisible to policy and funding decisions,” Professor Brinkworth added.

The research reinforces the importance of improved screening, earlier diagnosis, and greater health system integration to ensure every person affected by diabetes is counted, supported, and resourced.

Diabetes Australia is committed to working with the Australian Government and health sector to ensure barriers to registration are removed with appropriate investment in the NDSS to enable timely registration and accurate reporting.

Read the full study: Is the burden of diabetes in Australia underestimated? – Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

With the Federal Election date now set for May 3, Australia’s leading diabetes advocacy organisations are calling for election commitments to expand affordable access to life changing technologies for people living with diabetes.

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting Australians hard, with many people living with diabetes forced to choose between essential medical technology and basic necessities. The latest Diabetes Australia cost of living survey found that for 61 percent of people, the cost of diabetes medicines and technologies was their greatest challenge. 

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said Australians living with all types of diabetes should have equitable access to the technology they need to live well.

“Nobody should have to decide between good health care and putting food on the table,” Ms Cain said.

“The bi-partisan support to expand continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device subsidies for people living with type 1 diabetes in 2022 was welcome and much needed, and we thank both the Government and the Opposition for that.

“Unfortunately, people living with type 2 diabetes requiring multiple daily insulin injections are still being denied the same subsidy. On top of that, thousands of Australians living with type 1 diabetes who can’t afford top level private health insurance are not able to afford insulin pumps.

“This situation cannot continue. Not only are we falling behind the diabetes technology provided in many other developed nations, but as a country we are now failing to provide what is considered standard care in the management of diabetes. There is clear evidence that access to diabetes technologies reduces overall healthcare costs for both the individual and the healthcare system.

“A person’s bank balance or postcode should not be a barrier to good health,” Ms Cain said.

In its policy paper Equitable Access to Diabetes Technology, Diabetes Australia recommends a $200 million investment over four years to expand subsidised access to diabetes technologies for key priority groups as a first step. 

Expanding subsidies for CGM devices will provide access for approximately 22,000 people living with type 2 diabetes, and expanding subsidies for insulin pumps will increase access to a further 16,000 people living with type 1 diabetes.

James Lequertier, 80, lives with type 2 diabetes, and says access to a CGM has helped him a lot. But as a self-funded retiree, he’s paying more than $200 a month out of pocket.

Despite maintaining a healthy weight and living an active lifestyle with no family history of the condition, James was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 30 years ago and has been using insulin since 2000.

“Since I started using a CGM six months ago, my HbA1c has dropped to 7.8%. It’s because I can finally see what’s happening with my blood glucose in real time,” James said. “Just swapping in crispbread instead of eating regular bread at lunch has made a difference, but I wouldn’t have known that as easily without CGM.

“It’s impossible to achieve continuous monitoring with a lancing device, commonly known as a finger prick.”

He says CGM has made managing his diabetes easier and safer, but the cost is a burden.

“What price do you put on your health?” James said.

James has written to both the current and former Federal Health Ministers urging them to subsidise CGM for people with type 2 diabetes who are dependent on insulin.

“There’s a lot of people who have much higher glucose levels than me. They should be able to access the diabetes technology that would help them.”

Technology that supports the management of blood glucose is critically important, given the health complications that can arise when they do not remain within a healthy range. 

More than 1.5 million Australians are living with diabetes and 500,000 are living with undiagnosed diabetes. More than 300 people are diagnosed every day and it is estimated the number of people living with diabetes in Australia will exceed 3.1 million by 2050.

Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association say the diabetes epidemic in Australia is at a crisis point. It is time for both the ALP and Coalition parties to make a public commitment to address the current inequity in the system that gives some people access to technologies while others go without.   

The growing epidemic of diabetes is one of the most complex health challenges facing our nation. The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data estimates that 10 percent of all hospitalisations in Australia in 2021-22 were associated with diabetes.

There has never been a more critical time to act.

UPDATE: 4PM 28 March 2025

An update has been received regarding the quarantined products referred to in the article below. Of the items stocked in the Diabetes Shop, only one needs to remain in quarantine.

The products that still need to be quarantined are:

• PD035 | RHS421 | 9421901692827 | Reynard Alcohol-Free Test Wipes 100pk
• | RHS475|  Reynard Swabsticks 2% Chlorhexidine (25 per box, 10 boxes per carton)

Original post below:

The diabetes community is being made aware of a critical quarantine affecting specific Reynard Health Supplies products, which were sold in the Diabetes Shop.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a critical quarantine for the following items:

• Reynard Adhesive Removal Wipes
• Reynard Alcohol Prep Pads
• Reynard Alcohol/Chlorhexidine Swabsticks

These products are commonly used for personal diabetes management, including skin preparation and adhesive removal.

The TGA has initiated this precautionary measure following reports of potential contamination involving Achromobacter species, a group of bacteria known to cause serious infections, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. The likely source of the contamination has been linked to materials and products associated with the manufacturer Baoying County Fukang Medical Appliance.

While investigations are still ongoing, there is currently no confirmation that these specific Reynard products are contaminated. However, as a safety precaution, all affected stock must be quarantined immediately.

A critical quarantine, as defined by the TGA, requires the mandatory isolation and assessment of therapeutic goods to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. During this period, all customers and healthcare providers are urged to:

• Stop using the identified products immediately.
• Inspect and quarantine any remaining stock to prevent further use.

At this time, no replacement stock is available. Diabetes Australia will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as they become available from Reynard Health Supplies and the TGA. Customers will be notified when the quarantine is lifted or if further action, such as a recall, is necessary.

The safety of people living with diabetes remains Diabetes Australia’s highest priority, and we thank you for your cooperation during this precautionary measure.

The Federal Government has today announced that medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will cost no more than $25 from 1 January 2026.  

In a pre-election commitment that has been matched by the Federal Opposition, the maximum cost of a PBS prescription will drop from $31.60 to $25. 

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain welcomed the announcement saying people taking diabetes medicines listed on the PBS will benefit from this cost of living relief.  

“A person’s bank balance or postcode should not be a barrier to good health. We must ensure medicines are affordable for people who need them. 

“Last year Diabetes Australia undertook a cost of living survey which showed that for 61% of people, the cost of diabetes medicines and technologies was their greatest challenge.  

“Lowering the cost of PBS medicines will help our community with the considerable strain of living with a chronic condition,” Ms Cain said.  

Diabetes medicines included in the price change include Metformin, Semaglutide, Empagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Empagliflozin with metformin. 

The Federal Government said the investment will cost $689 million over four years and the changes would come into effect on 1 January 2026 in line with regular indexation.  

Tasmania’s much-anticipated Pollie Pedal 2025 officially launched today, with riders embarking from Hagley Farm School in Launceston.

Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, Deputy Premier Guy Barnett, and Diabetes Australia Chief Operating Officer Craig Sedgman joined students and supporters to celebrate the event’s impact in raising funds and awareness for diabetes.

The inspiring three-day cycling event, which runs from February 28 to March 2, will see cyclists traverse over 300km of Tasmania’s stunning landscape, riding to support the 88,000 Tasmanians living with diabetes and prediabetes.

For Deputy Premier Barnett, an old boy of Hagley Farm School who lives with type 1 diabetes and takes part in Pollie Pedal every year, the event is a personal and community milestone.

Before he started cycling, Deputy Premier Barnett was delighted to meet Hagley Farm School Year 4 student Charlie Medwin and his parents, Karissa and Jesse. Charlie has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in April last year, and was a special representative of the diabetes community at the Pollie Pedal launch this morning.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Barnett emphasized the event’s importance beyond the cycling challenge.

“Pollie Pedal is about resilience, community, and the determination to make a difference. As someone who manages type 1 diabetes every day, I understand the significance of support, education, and research in changing lives,” Mr Barnett said.

“This ride is a powerful way to unite Tasmanians in our mission to reduce the impact of diabetes. Every turn of the pedals represents hope for those living with this condition. Whether you ride, donate, or cheer from the sidelines, your contribution matters.”

Diabetes Australia COO Craig Sedgman praised the Tasmanian community’s enduring commitment to the cause.

“Pollie Pedal is more than a fundraising event. It’s a movement of people coming together to drive change and create a healthier future,” Mr Sedgman said.

“We know that diabetes affects around two million Australians, and the numbers are rising. But through initiatives like Pollie Pedal, we can provide vital programs, invest in prevention, and support those already living with diabetes.

“Worryingly, rates of diabetes have increased by 32% nationally over the past decade.

“We need urgent action to stem the tide of this epidemic and support people who are living with diabetes. Community events like Pollie Pedal support us to do that important work,” he said.

Since its inception in 2006, Pollie Pedal has raised over $850,000, funding essential diabetes programs and research. The 2025 ride will take cyclists through Tasmania’s breathtaking Meander and Tamar Valleys, passing through seaside towns, rolling farmlands, and vibrant rural communities.

Pollie Pedal is open to cyclists of all abilities. Whether riding solo or forming a team, participants will not only experience Tasmania’s stunning backroads but also make a lasting impact on diabetes awareness and support.

Make a difference
To donate or learn more, visit: Pollie Pedal 2025 or email PolliePedal@diabetesaustralia.com.au.

Fast Facts about Pollie Pedal Tasmania 2025:

• Dates: February 28 – March 2, 2025
• Who can participate? Cyclists of all skill levels
• Funds raised since 2006: Over $850,000
• Cause: Supporting Tasmanians living with diabetes and funding prevention efforts

About Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, researchers and the community.

For more information visit: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

Diabetes Australia has welcomed commitments from both Labor and the Coalition to invest in more bulk billed GP visits.  

With Australia in the midst of a diabetes epidemic, greater access to primary care is necessary to support diabetes screening, as well as management, in order to avoid complications such as heart and kidney disease.  

The announcements mean GP bulk billing incentives will be expanded to all Australians and an additional new incentive payment will be established for practices that bulk bill every patient. 

With more than two million Australians living with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, the condition is the cause of a growing crisis costing the health system $3.4 billion annually. 

The majority of diabetes management and review for type 2 diabetes occurs in the primary care setting, so investments that make it easier for people to access that care are welcome. 

In the lead up to the Federal Election, Diabetes Australia is also calling on both sides of politics to commit to funding equitable access to diabetes technologies. 

Expanding subsidies for insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices will ensure Australians living with all types of diabetes have access to the technology they need to live well.  

Diabetes Australia is urging the Federal Government and the Opposition to commit $200 million over four years to expand subsidised access to diabetes technologies for those who would benefit the most.    

Diabetes Australia representatives are in Federal Parliament this week calling on both sides of politics to commit to funding equitable access to diabetes technologies during the upcoming Federal Election.  

Expanding subsidies for insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices will ensure Australians living with all types of diabetes have access to the technology they need to live well. 

With more than 1.5 million Australians living with diabetes, and projections indicating that number will exceed 3.1 million by 2050, the need for affordable access to this technology has never been greater.  

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices (CGMs) and Insulin Pumps change, and save, lives. 

“Not only do they enhance quality of life, research shows that they also reduce hospital admissions, and prevent long-term complications such as heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure.  

“Yet, despite their life-saving potential, many Australians living with diabetes simply can’t afford these technologies,” Ms Cain said. 

“The cost-of-living crisis is placing immense pressure on Australians living with diabetes, forcing many to choose between essential medical technology and basic necessities. No one should have to make that choice.” 

Diabetes Australia is urging the Federal Government and the Opposition to commit $200 million over four years to expand subsidised access to diabetes technologies for those who would benefit the most.  

“We’re grateful that the Federal Government has expanded CGM subsidies for all Australians with type 1 diabetes in recent years; however, we still have a long way to go,” Ms Cain said.  

“People with type 2 diabetes requiring multiple daily insulin injections are still denied subsidised CGM access, despite clear evidence of improved health outcomes and cost savings for the healthcare system.  

“At the same time, thousands of Australians living with type 1 diabetes are unable to afford insulin pumps, with private health insurance being the only viable pathway for many. That’s an expensive option that remains out of reach for some people.” 

The recent Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes unequivocally supported the expansion of diabetes technology subsidies, stating that “ensuring better access to this technology for all Australians must be a priority”.  

Research has shown that insulin pumps and CGM technology significantly improve blood glucose management, reducing the risk of severe hypoglycaemia, improving time-in-range, and ultimately leads to fewer diabetes-related complications.  

The economic case is just as strong: expanding access will reduce emergency department visits, ambulance callouts, and hospitalisations, providing long-term savings for Australia’s healthcare system. 

Diabetes Australia’s proposed reforms will prioritise:

Insulin pumps for people living with type 1 diabetes who are:

• under 21 years of age
• over 21 years of age with a health care card; and
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

CGM devices for people living with type 2 and other types of diabetes who are:

• pregnant
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• under the age of 21; and
• requiring multiple daily injections of insulin.

Ms Cain said the time for action is now because no Australian should be left behind. 

“Diabetes does not discriminate based on income, postcode, or background, so why should access to life-saving technology?” Ms Cain said. 

“We urge policymakers to commit to the $200 million investment outlined in our Position Statement, ensuring that every Australian has equitable access to the diabetes technology they need to lead healthier, fuller lives.” 

The Diabetes Alliance has called on the Federal Government to commit to, and fund, the recommendations of the Parliament Inquiry into Diabetes.

In a submission to the Federal Budget process, the Alliance highlighted key priorities from the recommendations including access to diabetes technologies, investment in research, support for the diabetes workforce and investment in prevention. 

With over two million Australians living with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, the condition is the cause of a growing crisis costing the health system $3.4 billion annually.

The Parliamentary Inquiry report, The State of Diabetes Mellitus in Australia, includes 23 recommendations including support for expanding access to diabetes technologies, coordinating diabetes research, better funding the diabetes workforce and investing in diabetes prevention. The recommendations are a comprehensive package of measures that would begin to stem the tide of Australia’s diabetes epidemic

Diabetes Australia’s position statement on equitable access to technology formed part of the budget submission. It advocates for a staged approach to expanding subsidies for insulin pumps for people living with type 1 diabetes and continuous glucose monitoring devices for people living with type 2 diabetes.

More funding for diabetes research is also a key focus for the Federal Budget. A decline in funding for diabetes research in Australia has had a significant impact on the field.

In 2023, NHMRC (the Australian Government’s primary health and medical research funding agency), provided only $19 million for diabetes research, which is less than half of the amount allocated in 2022.

A budget submission from the Australian Diabetes Society, Diabetes Australia and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association calls for $50 million in funding for priority areas of research including the causes of diabetes, prevention and remission, complications, and the rates of diabetes in the general population; as well as $75 million for diabetes-specific investigator grants.

The sector acknowledges and celebrates the Federal Government’s announcement last year to fund the Clinical Research Network of JDRF Australia. This is a significant investment in type 1 diabetes research. The Alliance is advocating for investment in other areas of diabetes research as well.

The Australian Diabetes Alliance

The Australian Diabetes Alliance comprises the country’s major diabetes organisations in collective advocacy for the sector: Diabetes Australia, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society, JDRF Australia, the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

By Credentialled Diabetes Educator, Carolien Koreneff

Did you know that people with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease? Yet research shows that only 12% of people with type 2 diabetes think they are personally at risk. The connection between diabetes and heart disease is closer than many people realise.

People with type 1 diabetes are also at increased risk of heart disease.

Knowing that your heart could be affected by diabetes is the first step to reducing your risk.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a collective term for different problems that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. It includes coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias and valve disease.

The medical term cardiovascular disease includes all types of heart problems, as well as blood vessel damage and stroke. The most common type of cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is very common and is caused by a build-up of plaque in the arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Plaque is the build-up of fats and other substances in the artery walls. This build-up of plaque can cause a narrowing or complete blockage of blood vessels, which affects the blood flow.

Coronary artery disease is also associated with a hardening of the arteries, this is referred to as atherosclerosis. Hardening of the arteries can also happen in other parts of your body, for example in your feet and legs – this is referred to as peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Coronary artery disease is sometimes also called coronary heart disease (CHD) or ischaemic heart disease (IHD); it usually takes years to develop.

Heart attack

If the blood flow to the heart is decreased it can cause a heart attack. Similarly, if the blood flow to the brain is decreased it can cause a stroke.

Heart attacks happen when the plaque in a blood vessel bursts and clogs the coronary artery. Heart attacks require urgent medical treatment to restore the blood flow to the heart.

It is important to note that heart attacks are different from a cardiac arrest. Heart attacks are a circulatory problem, whereas a cardiac arrest is an electrical problem.

Cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrests are often caused by arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) that cause the heart to malfunction and stop beating. This stops blood from flowing to the brain and other vital organs and can lead to death if not treated urgently.

A person who is having a cardiac arrest will be unconscious, will not be breathing and may die within three minutes unless chest compressions are started immediately and medical care is provided.

Arrythmias

Arrythmias, as mentioned above, are abnormal heart rhythms caused by the heart’s electrical system which controls the heart’s pumping action. People often describe arrythmias as palpitations or fluttering feelings in the chest.

Arrythmias can cause the heartbeat to become too slow, too fast, or irregular. The most common type of arrythmia is atrial fibrillation (AF). Other examples of arrythmias include atrial flutter, ectopic heartbeats, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

Heart failure

Heart failure happens when the heart muscle is damaged and does not pump properly. Causes can include heart attacks, high blood pressure and valve problems, which can all lead to the heart becoming weaker, stiffer and bigger. This can lead to tiredness, shortness of breath, oedema (swelling in legs and feet) and a decreased ability to do physical activity. Treatment involves medications to strengthen the heart as well as managing other conditions that can affect the heart.

Valve disease

The four cardiac valves mentioned above keep the blood flowing in the right direction. If one or more of these valves become damaged they may stop opening and closing properly and this can lead to chest pain and shortness of breath. Some people are born with valve disease (this if often called congenital heart disease), but it can also be caused by rheumatic heart disease, acute rheumatic fever or a heart condition such as heart failure or a heart attack.

There are three main types of heart valve disease:

1. Stenosis – where the valves are thick or stiff
2. Regurgitation – where the valve flaps don’t close properly and ‘leak’
3. Atresia – this is a condition where the valve is not formed correctly and tissue blocks the blood flow.

One of the first signs of heart valve problems is a heart murmur, this is an abnormal sound that your doctor can hear when listening to your heartbeat with a stethoscope. However, having a heart murmur does not always mean that there is a problem with your heart. But if you experience symptoms of heart valve disease it is important to see a doctor because, if left untreated, heart valve disease can lead to heart failure.

Diabetes and heart disease

Diabetes puts you at risk of heart disease because diabetes can change the chemical makeup of some of the substances found in the blood. This can cause a narrowing or complete blockage of blood vessels through the build-up of plaque, even if your cholesterol levels are normal.

High blood pressure can put further strain on your heart. For this reason, people with diabetes are regularly recommended to take blood pressure lowering medications, often in combination with cholesterol lowering medication.

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

The most common symptom of heart disease is chest pain or discomfort. This is referred to as angina.

For many people with diabetes the symptoms are very subtle and the first clue that they have coronary artery disease is a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Angina
• Shortness of breath
• Pain or discomfort in the arms and/or shoulder
• Tingling in the lips
• Weakness
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting or heartburn
• Cold sweat

Sometimes heart disease is not diagnosed until a person experiences arrhythmia or heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs or veins in the neck

What are the risk factors for heart disease?

The main risk factors for developing heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.

Lifestyle choices can also increase your risk, particularly through an unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol use, physical inactivity and overweight or obesity.

Several other medical conditions can put people at a higher risk as well. You may have guessed it; diabetes is on top of this list.

Having a family history of heart disease can also increase your risk.

Reducing your risk of heart disease

Taking care of your heart is important, especially when you have diabetes. Here are some actions you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease:

• Be physically active
• Make healthy food choices
• Reduce your intake of saturated fats, trans fat, salt/sodium and alcohol
• Keep blood fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the target range
• Manage high blood pressure
• Try and lose weight if your weight is above the healthy weight range
• Don’t smoke – if you do smoke try and quit
• Visit Diabetes Australia’s heart-focused campaign takediabetes2heart.com.au.

Take Diabetes 2 Heart Campaign

The Take Diabetes 2 Heart campaign is all about inspiring people with diabetes, and the people who love them, to take positive steps to avoid cardiovascular disease. The three most important steps on the path to good heart health are: visiting your doctor to have a conversation about what you can do to reduce your risk; eating a balanced diet; and incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Visit the website for helpful information, resources and a heart healthy recipe book that you can download for free. 

Blood pressure

As your heart pumps your blood through your arteries, a force or pressure is created as the blood travels; this is known as blood pressure. Your blood pressure will go up and down naturally throughout the day and night, this depends on what you are doing.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a main risk for heart disease, especially heart attacks and strokes. High blood pressure can also increase your risk of kidney disease, eye disease and nerve damage.

Many people have high blood pressure without knowing it, so it is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

There are a number of things that can increase your risk of developing hypertension, including having a family history of hypertension, being overweight, insufficient physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake and food choices such as eating too much salt.

Blood pressure targets can vary depending on your age, existing heart disease, kidney disease, other medical conditions and your risk of a stroke. In Australia it is generally recommended to aim for a blood pressure of less than 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to build cells, to make certain hormones and to produce vitamin D. It is also important in digestion of food. Some foods contain cholesterol; your body also produces it.

When your doctor orders a cholesterol check the pathologist will check and report on the following types of blood fat:

• Total cholesterol – a calculation of all the different types of cholesterol in your blood
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – ‘bad’ or ‘lousy’ cholesterol, because it sticks to the walls of arteries and cause plaque.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – ‘good’ or ‘healthy’ cholesterol, because it carries LDL away from the arteries, back to the liver where it is broken down.
• Triglycerides – the most common fat in the body that will increase when eating a lot of high fat and sugary foods, when drinking too much alcohol, or if you are overweight.

There is not one single cause of high cholesterol, but there are risk factors that are modifiable. These include smoking, your age, being overweight or obese, having a family history, and unfavourable lifestyle choices such as an unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity.

If you experience any symptoms of a heart attack it is important to get medical help immediately. Call 000 without delay.