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It’s all connected

Understanding the link between type 2 diabetes, your heart and your kidneys

Two happy people together appearing next to icons of the heart, pancreas and kidneys.

Diabetes, your kidneys and your heart are all connected. Explore this site to learn about each condition and how they’re related. Then see how you can live well with type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease.

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Doctor discussion guide

Use this guide when talking to your healthcare provider about the impact type 2 diabetes can have on your heart and kidneys.

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Get the facts

Three rows of statistics next to icons of the heart, kidneys and diabetes. The statistics read: • 1 in 2 people with type 2 diabetes have kidney disease • More than 60% of people with heart disease have kidney disease • 1 in 3 people with type 2 diabetes have heart disease* * Global data.

Make the connection

Your body is a complex network of blood vessels. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to different parts of your body, including your organs.

When one organ isn’t working correctly, it can affect other organs and cause them not to work well either.

How your body works

Human body featuring the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and pancreas
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Your heart

Pumps blood around the body using blood vessels 

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Your kidneys 

Filter your blood by removing waste and returning clean blood to your body 

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Insulin

Moves sugars from the blood into your body’s cells for energy 

Defining type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease

Learn more
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Type 2 diabetes

A disease where the body cannot make or properly use insulin, which causes sugar to build up in your blood
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Learn more
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Kidney disease 

A condition where your kidneys are damaged and not working properly, leading to waste buildup in the body 
Learn more
Learn more
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Heart disease 

A general term for any condition that affects the structure and function of the heart and its blood vessels 
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The overlap between type 2 diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease

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Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease

  • High blood sugar from type 2 diabetes can slowly damage the kidneys

  • The kidneys stop working as well over time, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD)

  • CKD can get worse over time and can lead to kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant

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Kidney disease and heart disease

  • Kidney damage from chronic kidney disease causes your heart to pump harder to increase the blood supply to your kidneys, which raises blood pressure and can lead to heart disease

  • Heart disease is the most common cause of death for people on dialysis 

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Type 2 diabetes and heart disease

  • High blood sugar from type 2 diabetes can slowly damage blood vessels and place stress on the heart 

  • Many people with type 2 diabetes develop high blood pressure as well, which can also damage blood vessels

  • Over time, this can damage certain organs and lead to heart disease

Each condition also shares similar risk factors, including: 

  • High blood sugar

  • High blood pressure

  • Family history

  • Obesity

  • Unhealthy diet

  • Physical inactivity

The good news is you can manage or prevent these conditions by living well

  • *
    Global data.

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