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Guidelines
ScienceDaily · September 6, 2026
According to new clinical guidelines, people with heart failure should be screened early using simple blood and urine tests to check for kidney disease, because these two conditions can make each other worse over time — creating a harmful cycle that speeds up damage to both the heart and kidneys. The guidelines highlight that catching problems sooner, and starting proven treatments early, could meaningfully lower the chances of serious complications for patients. Talking with their doctor about whether this kind of screening is right for them may be a worthwhile conversation.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should get blood and urine tests to check for kidney disease, since heart and kidney problems can make each other worse.
What's New
PubMed · September 1, 2026
Researchers found that a structured self-management program — where people with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes learn skills to manage their health day-to-day — led to lasting improvements in sleep, pain, fatigue, and mood, even six months after the program ended, across many different countries. For someone with type 2 diabetes, this matters because managing a long-term condition involves a lot more than just medication — things like energy levels, sleep, and emotional well-being all affect how well someone can stay on top of their health. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · September 1, 2026
Researchers found that two diabetes medications like Jardiance or Invokana — specifically empagliflozin and dapagliflozin — may lower the risk of sudden cardiac death (when the heart unexpectedly stops beating) by about 18% compared to a placebo, based on data from more than 58,000 people across eight studies. This finding held up across different groups of patients, including those with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease, which makes it particularly interesting since sudden cardiac death is one of the hardest outcomes to prevent. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · September 1, 2026
Researchers found that a new combination pill being developed for heart failure — pairing an experimental drug called balcinrenone with a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana (dapagliflozin) — works similarly in the body whether people take it with food or on an empty stomach, which could make it more convenient for patients to use in daily life. They also found that taking balcinrenone alongside certain other medications can raise the amount of it in the bloodstream, though not by a dramatic amount — something doctors may want to keep in mind when managing a patient's full list of medications. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · August 25, 2026
A study found that among more than 4,400 people hospitalized for heart failure, those who also had chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood — had significantly worse outcomes over the following five years. They were more likely to die sooner, were hospitalized more often, spent more days in the hospital, and racked up nearly twice the annual healthcare costs compared to heart failure patients without kidney disease. This matters because it highlights how much kidney disease can complicate heart failure, yet these patients were actually less likely to receive certain common heart medications — raising questions about gaps in their care. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · August 19, 2026
Researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who took both a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana AND a diabetes medication like Ozempic or Victoza at the same time had better protection against serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes, heart failure hospitalizations, and kidney damage than people taking either medication alone. This matters because doctors often prescribe just one of these drug types, and the combination may offer stronger benefits for the heart and kidneys — two areas where people with type 2 diabetes face higher risk. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether combining an SGLT2 inhibitor like Jardiance with a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic might provide better heart and kidney protection for the patient than taking just one of these medications.
What's New
PubMed · August 7, 2026
Researchers found that a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana does not appear to significantly raise the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) — infections in the bladder or kidneys — which is reassuring news, since this had been a lingering concern. Looking at data from over 62,000 people across 14 studies, the slight increase in UTI risk seen with these medications was too small to be considered statistically meaningful. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · August 4, 2026
Researchers found that finerenone, a medication that blocks certain hormones to protect the heart and kidneys, appeared to reduce the risk of sudden death in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease — a finding that stood out across three large studies involving nearly 19,000 people. Sudden death, meaning the heart unexpectedly stops without warning, is one of the most serious risks for people managing both diabetes and kidney problems, so even a modest reduction could be meaningful. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · August 1, 2026
Researchers found that a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana was linked to meaningful reductions in deaths from heart-related causes and kidney failure among people with diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease — with those benefits appearing consistently across different age groups. Interestingly, older adults (over 65) also showed a reduction in overall death from any cause, a finding that wasn't seen in the broader group as a whole. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · July 16, 2026
Researchers found that smartphone and app-based tools that send people personalized nudges or tips at just the right moment — like when they're most likely to make a poor food choice — may help people eat healthier in their everyday lives. For someone managing obesity, this kind of real-time, tailored support could make it easier to build better habits without relying on memory or willpower alone. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · July 9, 2026
Researchers found that a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana may offer meaningful benefits for older adults (65 and up) living with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys are damaged but not yet requiring dialysis. Specifically, people taking these medications had a lower risk of their kidney disease getting worse and a lower risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes, though they also had a higher chance of developing genital yeast infections as a side effect. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
ScienceDaily · July 7, 2026
A study found that nearly half of takeaway meals contained more salt than their menus claimed, with some single meals packing almost twice the amount of salt a person should have in an entire day. For people with high blood pressure — a condition where too much salt can make things worse by raising pressure in the blood vessels — this kind of hidden salt can be a real concern. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · July 4, 2026
Researchers found that a heart failure medication called sacubitril/valsartan (brand name Entresto) may also help protect the kidneys in people with heart failure — reducing the risk of serious kidney decline by roughly 30% compared to other common heart medications. This matters because heart failure and kidney problems often go hand in hand, and a treatment that helps both at the same time could be meaningful for many patients. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · July 1, 2026
Researchers found that a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana (specifically dapagliflozin) helped the body remove excess fluid just as well in heart failure patients with weaker kidneys as it did in those with stronger kidney function — which was a surprise, since the drug's fluid-removing effect was expected to fade as kidney function declined. Even more reassuring, starting the medication early during a heart failure hospital stay did not appear to harm kidney function. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Medications
PubMed · June 13, 2026
A study found that finerenone (brand name Kerendia), a medication that works by blocking a specific hormone receptor involved in kidney damage, helped slow the progression of chronic kidney disease and reduced serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes across a wide range of patients — not just those with diabetes. Researchers pooled data from over 14,500 participants across three studies to reach these findings, making this a broader look at how the drug performs than what was previously known. This appears to be new evidence expanding our understanding of who might benefit from this treatment option.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether finerenone might help slow down the patient's kidney disease and protect the patient's heart, based on recent research showing it works across different types of kidney problems.
Guidelines
PubMed · June 9, 2026
According to the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, American Diabetes Association, and American Society of Nephrology guidelines, people with type 2 diabetes often face overlapping risks involving the heart, kidneys, and metabolism — and these guidelines are designed to help doctors manage all of those risks together rather than treating each one separately. This matters because heart disease and kidney disease are closely connected to diabetes, meaning addressing them as a group can lead to better overall care. These guidelines are intended to give doctors — including heart specialists, diabetes specialists, kidney specialists, and primary care providers — a shared, up-to-date approach to protecting their patients' health.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should be screened for kidney disease and heart problems as part of managing their type 2 diabetes, since these conditions often happen together.
Medications
JAMA · May 19, 2026
The FDA announced the approval of the first generic versions of Farxiga, a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana that helps people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar control. This type of medication works by helping the kidneys remove extra sugar from the body through urine. This approval means a lower-cost version of the drug may now be available as an option for patients to discuss with their doctor.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient could switch to generic dapagliflozin instead of the brand-name Farxiga to help manage blood sugar at a lower cost.
Medications
PubMed · May 1, 2026
This research looks at empagliflozin (brand name Jardiance), a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana, and what it does for the kidneys of people who have type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease. Pulling together 13 studies and over 36,000 patients, researchers found that people taking Jardiance had a meaningfully lower chance of their kidney disease getting worse compared to those taking a placebo (a dummy pill with no active medicine). This is a strengthened safety and benefit update — it adds to growing evidence that Jardiance may help protect the kidneys in people who already have heart disease, which is a group that often faces higher kidney risks.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether empagliflozin might help protect the patient's kidneys if the patient have both type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
A study found that for people who have both heart failure and kidney problems at the same time, carefully managing the amount of fluid in their body is especially important — too much or too little fluid can put extra strain on both organs. Researchers reviewed 36 studies and guidelines and identified key areas that matter most, including how fluid levels are measured, what treatment approaches work best, and how patients and their care teams can work together. The study also noted that where someone lives and their cultural background may affect how this care is best delivered.
Medications
FDA Drug Approvals · April 6, 2026
Researchers found that a combination medication called dapagliflozin and saxagliptin — which combines a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana with a diabetes medication like Januvia into a single tablet — has been approved by the FDA. This means people with type 2 diabetes may have access to a new option that combines two different blood sugar control approaches in one pill taken by mouth. This appears to be a new treatment option, though patients should speak with their doctor to learn whether it might be relevant to their care.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the combination of dapagliflozin and saxagliptin might be a good option for the patient's type 2 diabetes management.
Medications
FDA Drug Approvals · April 6, 2026
Researchers found that dapagliflozin — a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana — has received FDA approval as a tablet that people take by mouth. This type of medication is generally used to help with blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, and in some cases may also support kidney and heart health. This approval means a version made by Macleods Pharmaceuticals is now an available option alongside others already on the market.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether dapagliflozin might be a good option for the patient's type 2 diabetes and how it works differently than the medicines the patient is currently taking.
Guidelines
PubMed (Open Access Guidelines) · April 1, 2026
According to KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guidelines, people who have both heart failure and chronic kidney disease — meaning long-term kidney damage — can benefit from several medications, including a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana, and a diabetes medication like Ozempic or Victoza, even though more research is still needed for people with advanced kidney disease. KDIGO also notes that a small dip in kidney function after starting heart failure treatment is usually not a reason to stop the medication, since this kind of change is often temporary and tied to how blood flow shifts — not a sign that things are getting worse. Because heart failure and kidney disease so often occur together and can make each other worse, KDIGO is calling for better ways to diagnose and track both conditions at the same time.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should be checked for kidney disease, since the research shows that heart failure and kidney disease often happen together and affect how treatment works.
Medications
PubMed · March 31, 2026
This research looked at a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana and reviewed 50 studies to see how it affects survival across different groups of people. The studies found that people taking this type of medication were less likely to die — both within the first year and over longer periods — with some of the strongest benefits seen in people who were hospitalized with a serious heart condition called acute cardiac decompensation, which is when the heart suddenly struggles to pump blood properly. This appears to be a safety and effectiveness update, adding to the growing body of evidence about how this medication may help people beyond just managing blood sugar control.
What's New
PubMed (Open Access Guidelines) · March 27, 2026
Researchers found that giving iron directly through an IV (into a vein) may help people who have both heart failure and kidney disease — specifically by lowering the chances of being hospitalized for heart failure or dying from heart-related causes. They also noticed a possible extra benefit for patients who had anemia (low red blood cell levels) alongside these conditions, though that finding was less certain. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed (Open Access Guidelines) · March 20, 2026
A study found that a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana was linked to lower risks of sudden kidney problems and death in older adults, with the strongest survival benefit seen in people aged 75 and older — but it also came with a notably higher risk of genital infections, especially at higher doses and in the oldest patients. Researchers also found that not all medications in this group behave the same way, meaning the specific drug chosen can matter for safety. People with type 2 diabetes in this age group may want to ask their doctor how these trade-offs apply to their personal health situation.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether SGLT2 inhibitors like empagliflozin or dapagliflozin would be safe for the patient to take, especially since the research shows they may actually lower the risk of kidney problems in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
What's New
The Lancet · March 19, 2026
Researchers found that a diabetes medication like Ozempic or Victoza (semaglutide) may have benefits that go well beyond blood sugar control, with promising signs in conditions like kidney disease, heart failure, and joint problems — and scientists are now exploring whether it might also help with brain-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease. For people with type 2 diabetes, this is interesting because a medication they may already be taking could potentially offer additional health benefits. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Guidelines
ADA Standards of Care 2026 · January 1, 2026
According to clinical guidelines, people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure should have their blood pressure checked at every routine visit, or at least every six months, and are encouraged to monitor it at home as well. Guidelines recommend that if it can be safely achieved, the target blood pressure for these patients should be below 130/80 mmHg — and even lower (below 120 on the top number) for those at higher risk for serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes. These targets are meant to be decided together by patients and their doctor, taking into account each person's overall health, personal preferences, and how well they might tolerate blood pressure medications.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor how often the patient should be getting the patient's blood pressure checked, and whether the patient need to monitor it at home between visits.
What's New
PubMed · January 1, 2026
Researchers found that a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana does not appear to raise the overall risk of cancer — including breast and bladder cancer — in people with type 2 diabetes, even those who also have heart failure or kidney disease. This came from a large analysis combining data from 28 studies and nearly 100,000 participants. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · January 1, 2026
Researchers found that a heart failure medication called sacubitril/valsartan may offer real benefits for people with heart failure who are also on peritoneal dialysis — a form of kidney treatment done at home using the belly to filter waste from the blood. Across nine studies involving 343 patients, the medication was linked to a stronger pumping action in the heart, lower levels of a stress marker the heart releases when it's struggling, and reduced blood pressure, though a small number of patients (about 12%) developed high potassium levels in their blood, which can be a concern worth monitoring. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Lifestyle
AHA Guidelines · August 8, 2025
A study found that eating too many ultra-processed foods — things like packaged snacks, sugary drinks, fast food, and ready-made meals — is linked to poor health outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes, partly because these foods tend to be loaded with saturated fat (the kind of fat that can clog arteries) and added sugars while offering little real nutrition. Researchers found that this combination of excess calories and low nutritional value can make blood sugar control harder to manage. The study highlights that the more ultra-processed foods people eat on a regular basis, the greater the impact on their overall health.
For informational purposes only. Not medical advice. Always consult a physician before making any health decisions.