November 14 is World Diabetes Day. For many patients, this disease is still primarily associated with the number on a glucometer screen. However, as medical experts emphasize, the most serious risks in type 2 diabetes are not related to glucose levels per day, but to the condition of the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys — and these threats often go unnoticed for years. We look at why it is important to view type 2 diabetes comprehensively, what examinations help detect hidden complications in time, and what opportunities are already available for this in Ukraine.
The Scale of the Problem: Figures You Should Know
According to estimates by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 589 million adults live with diabetes worldwide — that is almost every eleventh resident of the planet. At the same time, more than 4 out of 10 patients are unaware of their condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of adults with diabetes has doubled over three decades: from 7% in 1990 to 14% in 2022. About 90–95% of all cases are type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which often starts acutely, type 2 diabetes can develop for years without pronounced symptoms, so a person may not notice either elevated glucose levels or the associated risks to the heart, kidneys, vision, and nervous system. The WHO also notes that the disease is getting "younger": type 2 diabetes, previously considered a problem for adults and the elderly, is increasingly detected in children and adolescents.
Why the Disease "Does Not Hurt" and How It Develops
The main insidiousness of type 2 diabetes is its gradual course. Signs such as thirst, fatigue, or frequent urination are easily blamed on stress or lack of sleep. Meanwhile, blood vessels are affected not only by elevated glucose, but also by other disorders that often accompany diabetes: high blood pressure, excess body weight, and lipid metabolism disorders. That is why many people learn about the disease only when heart or kidney damage has already begun. For most patients, treatment is limited to glucose control under medical supervision, but even with stable indicators, changes in the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys can develop imperceptibly — which is why the condition of these organs must be checked separately and regularly.
Heart and Kidneys: Hidden Risks
According to IDF data, cardiovascular diseases remain the most common cause of death for people with diabetes. In Ukraine, according to the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health, cardiovascular diseases cause more than 60% of premature deaths. Diabetes is also one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease: according to IDF research, up to 40% of people with diabetes suffer from it. In the early stages, kidney damage usually proceeds without symptoms, and as data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show, up to 9 out of 10 adults with chronic kidney disease do not know about their diagnosis. "Type 2 diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and cardiovascular diseases often develop in parallel and mutually reinforce each other. Therefore, with a confirmed diagnosis, it is important to regularly check not only blood glucose levels, but also the condition of the heart and kidneys. Discuss these risks with your doctor: the earlier they are identified, the more chances there are to prevent complications and preserve health," notes Olena Sopko, Head of the Medical Department at the Boehringer Ingelheim representative office in Ukraine.
What to Do in Ukraine: The "Health Screening 40+" Program
Starting January 1, 2026, the National "Health Screening 40+" Program is active in Ukraine. Every person aged 40 and older can undergo a free annual examination to assess the risks of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, as well as take blood and urine tests that show the condition of the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. An invitation arrives in the Diia app; those who do not use it can apply through a ASC (Administrative Services Center). The examination can be taken at a municipal or private medical institution participating in the program. Before the visit, it is worth waiting for the funds to be credited to a bank card (usually takes up to two weeks) and checking the status in Diia. Tests are taken on-site, so it is worth clarifying the appointment date and preparation rules with the institution in advance, such as whether you need to come on an empty stomach. The program's indicators already clearly demonstrate the scale of hidden risks: almost 73% of its participants had an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and we are talking about people who came for a preventive examination and mostly had no complaints.
