{"id":2413,"date":"2026-03-23T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingdiabetes.com\/?p=2413"},"modified":"2026-03-11T01:55:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T01:55:51","slug":"love-your-heart-the-essential-cardiovascular-health-check-checklist-for-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livingdiabetes.com\/ur\/love-your-heart-the-essential-cardiovascular-health-check-checklist-for-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Your Heart: The Essential Cardiovascular Health Check Checklist for Diabetes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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February is Heart Health Month \u2014 the perfect time to take stock of your cardiovascular health. For people with diabetes, proactive cardiovascular screening is not optional; it is a clinical necessity. This checklist covers everything you should be monitoring and discussing with your healthcare team to protect your heart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Your Annual Cardiovascular Health Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Test \/ Check<\/th>\nFrequency<\/th>\nTarget<\/th>\nWhy It Matters<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
HbA1c<\/strong><\/td>\nEvery 3\u20136 months<\/td>\n<7% (individualised)<\/td>\nPrimary marker of glucose control and CV risk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u0641\u0634\u0627\u0631 \u062e\u0648\u0646<\/strong><\/td>\nEvery appointment; home monitoring<\/td>\n<130\/80 mmHg<\/td>\nSilent killer; doubles heart attack risk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fasting lipid panel<\/strong><\/td>\nAnnually (more if abnormal)<\/td>\nLDL <70 mg\/dL; TG <150 mg\/dL<\/td>\nDiabetic dyslipidaemia drives atherosclerosis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kidney function (eGFR + ACR)<\/strong><\/td>\nAnnually<\/td>\neGFR >60; ACR <3 mg\/mmol<\/td>\nCKD is a major independent CV risk factor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight and BMI<\/strong><\/td>\nEvery appointment<\/td>\nBMI 20\u201325; waist <94cm (men)<\/td>\nVisceral obesity drives CV risk and insulin resistance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Foot examination<\/strong><\/td>\nAnnually<\/td>\nNormal sensation and pulses<\/td>\nPeripheral arterial disease is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retinal screening<\/strong><\/td>\nAnnually<\/td>\nNo retinopathy<\/td>\nRetinal vessels reflect systemic microvascular health<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10-year CV risk score (QRISK3)<\/strong><\/td>\nAnnually<\/td>\n<10% (low risk)<\/td>\nGuides statin and antihypertensive therapy decisions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resting ECG<\/strong><\/td>\nEvery 2\u20133 years (or if symptomatic)<\/td>\nNormal sinus rhythm<\/td>\nDetects silent ischaemia, arrhythmias, and conduction abnormalities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\u2705 Questions to Ask Your Doctor This Month<\/strong><\/p>\n