UH CINEMA: Integrated Heart and Vascular Care for Patients with Diabetes
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute's Center for Integrated and Novel Approaches in Vascular-Metabolic Disease (UH CINEMA) focuses on managing overlapping diabetes, heart and kidney disease issues. This unique cardiometabolic program with doctors, nurses, certified diabetes educators and pharmacists encompasses cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, and advanced imaging.
Your health is important. Get expert care.
Call 216-844-1357 to schedule an appointment. For more information about UH CINEMA, email CINEMA@UHhospitals.org.
Why are patients with diabetes at increased risk for heart disease?
Adults with metabolic disease, or diabetes, are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes. In fact, 68 percent of those 65 or older with diabetes die from some form of heart disease, with increasing rates of kidney complications.
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Diabetes is treatable, but diabetes significantly increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke even when under control. The increased risk is because many patients with diabetes also have one or more of the following conditions that contribute to an amplified risk for developing heart disease:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Abnormal cholesterol and triglycerides
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity)
- Poorly controlled blood glucose levels (too high)
- Tobacco use
Additionally, while patients with diabetes generally follow a glucose-lowering treatment plan, they may not consider preventive heart health and kidney-friendly strategies.
Who is Eligible for UH CINEMA?
Any adult with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes who also:
Has or is at high risk for cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease)
Has chronic kidney disease – a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60
Has an elevated calcium score (greater than 100)
What to Expect Before, During and After Your UH CINEMA Appointment
Pre-Appointment: UH CINEMA Care TeamWe review each individual's patient medical history and determine the pre-appointment labs needed to create a personalized treatment plan. Based on the initial assessment, we send you detailed information on what to expect at your upcoming appointment.
Appointment Day: Certified Diabetes EducatorAt your appointment, a certified diabetes educator will ask you questions about your lifestyle, diet, exercise habits and other related topics. This specialist will also help you begin to set goals for managing your diabetes while educating you on the disease.
Appointment Day: PhysicianDuring an assessment, your physician will review your medical history and discuss risk reduction strategies, goals for managing your disease and the possible use of new medications with you.
Post Appointment: Nurse, Certified Diabetes Educator and PharmacistThe UH CINEMA team will follow up to assist you with your lifestyle goals, medication management and any tests that are ordered.
UH CINEMA treats diabetes, heart and kidney disease together
While closely connected, these conditions have traditionally been cared for by distinct specialties. However, patients with diabetes must know how diabetes affects their cardiovascular and renal health – and why a skilled, integrated team with knowledge in creating and using coordinated, comprehensive treatment plans should help manage diabetes.
Patients have a unified resource through UH CINEMA to support their wellness efforts related to diabetes, heart and kidney disease. First-time cardiometabolic patients undergo a health assessment that takes place during a single appointment. The assessment includes gathering information about their diabetes, screening for kidney and heart disease, and managing related risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, smoking, diet and exercise. Team specialists review the assessment and share combined treatment recommendations to lower the potential risk for diabetes-related heart and kidney complications.
New therapies available for high-risk patients with diabetes
While insulin and other medications for diabetes help lower blood sugar, they are much less effective for preventing heart disease.
Now there are two new classes of medication to treat cardiometabolic patients: SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. These have shown to help prevent:
- Heart attacks
- Death from heart disease
- Hospitalizations for heart failure
- Worsening kidney disease
If you are a high-risk patient with pre-diabetes or diabetes, schedule an evaluation with the UH CINEMA team. It’s important to see a preventive cardiologist who understands diabetes, as well as heart disease, with the skill to successfully integrate treatment.
Program Helps Patients with Diabetes Avoid Heart and Kidney Complications
UH CINEMA is a dedicated resource that combines care to support the best outcomes.
Patient Resources
Cardiometabolic Webinar Series
The UH CINEMA team presents virtual webinars, featuring renowned UH CINEMA experts and other nationally recognized guest speakers on topics related to diabetes and heart health.
UH CINEMA Patient Education Group
For patients with pre-diabetes or diabetes, the best way to stay healthy is to learn how to manage your condition while living the best quality of life. UH CINEMA offers an online education program with valuable information and a forum to interact with clinicians.
Make an Appointment
Your health is important. Get expert care.
Call 216-844-1357 to schedule an appointment. For more information about UH CINEMA, email CINEMA@UHhospitals.org.