Malaysia currently has more than 3.5 million people living with diabetes, and this figure is highest in Asia. Diabetes increases a person’s risk of developing heart disease by 4 times and approximately 50.4% of deaths in people with diabetes were caused by diabetes-related heart disease. Yet, not many are aware of this link between diabetes and heart disease. That is the driving force behind the For Your Sweetheart Campaign – A 3-year long nationwide public awareness and education campaign organized by Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS) and Malaysian Diabetes Educators Society (MDES), supported by Boehringer Ingelheim.

The campaign aims to educate the public, especially those living with diabetes, about the link between diabetes and heart diseases. This campaign also aims to highlight the urgent need for those living with diabetes to take care of their heart health. Patients and their caregivers must know their increased risks of developing heart disease. They are encouraged to speak to their doctors or diabetes educator (DE) to learn how they can protect their heart and prevent heart disease.