Cardiovascular risk is one of the main complications of type 2 diabetes and affects 9 out of 10 patients but, despite this, less than 20 percent of patients relate this problem to their disease, according to data from an international studycarried out by Boehringer and Lilly.
The work was carried out from more than 2,806 interviews, including 411 diagnosed with diabetes, and just over 400 health professionals, with the aim of knowing the real perception of the disease.
Thus, only 3.2 percent of patients associate heart attacks with type 2 diabetes and a similar percentage believes that high sugar is a disease associated with diabetes.In addition, one in two diabetics worldwide still do not know that they have this disorder.
On the other hand, more than 90 percent of the surveyed doctors recommend their patients to maintain healthy eating habits and do regular exercise, two of the basic pillars in the treatment of diabetes.
However, health professionals warn that patients only follow 65 percent of their recommendations although they recognize that they are compliant when going to medical appointments.
The majority of diabetics and general population coincide in pointing out the primary care doctor as the main source of information on good habits to prevent and control diabetes.
Its influence is decisive in fulfilling healthy habits and to avoid complications.In this sense, the survey shows that people who receive a high level of information by the doctor claim to fulfill the prevention habits to a greater extent.
Patients are eager for information about diabetes, they want to know how to take care of themselves and especially worry how to maintain their quality of life.In this sense, 2 out of 3 patients are interested in knowing information campaigns.Information about the disease, their prevention and risks, and hygienic-dietary habits are the most demanded aspects.
However, only 13.6 percent values receiving information about cardiovascular risks, although this is one of the main concerns of the doctors surveyed.
