Why your cardiologist should help choose your diabetes medicines
GLP-1 and SGLT2 drugs were proven in heart trials. Here is what that means for you.
Athens, Georgia · Endocrinology + Cardiology + Kidney + Stroke Prevention
Advanced Cardiometabolic & Diabetes Care. Protecting your heart, kidneys and brain , not just your A1C.
Partner with Athens' only diabetes program built inside a heart center. Preventive screening, acute and long-term diabetes management, state-of-the-art insulin pump and one-year CGM therapy, and remote monitoring , coordinated with your cardiovascular, kidney and stroke risk care under one roof.
- Insulin pump & automated insulin delivery
- Eversense one-year implantable CGM
- Remote data review between visits
- Medicare & major insurance accepted
One condition. Four organs. One care team.
Diabetes
Glucose, insulin, A1C, time-in-range
Heart
Blood pressure, cholesterol, heart failure, artery disease
Kidneys
eGFR, urine albumin, kidney-protective medicines
Brain
Stroke risk, AFib screening, carotid disease
All four are monitored and treated together at every visit.
New article
From Daily Injections to Innovation: Mastering Glucose Control with Tubeless CGM & Patch Pump Technology (Omnipod®) Read Dr. Agrawal's guide →
Why a heart center for diabetes?
Diabetes is a cardiovascular disease. We treat it that way.
Most people with diabetes will not be harmed by high sugar alone. They are harmed by what high sugar does to blood vessels , in the heart, in the kidneys and in the brain. A glucose-only clinic sees one number. We see the whole system.
Diabetes + Heart
Adults with diabetes are about twice as likely to have heart disease or a heart attack. Our board-certified cardiologists and diabetes team share one chart, one plan and one visit when you need it.
- Coronary calcium scoring and advanced lipid testing
- Echocardiogram and heart-failure screening on site
- Heart-protective diabetes medicines (GLP-1, SGLT2) chosen with your cardiologist
Diabetes + Kidneys
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the United States, and kidney damage is silent until it is advanced. We test for it at every annual review and act early.
- eGFR and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio tracked over time
- Kidney-protective therapy started at the first sign of damage
- Coordinated referral to nephrology when needed , no gaps
Diabetes + Stroke
People with diabetes have roughly double the risk of stroke. Most strokes are preventable when blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and carotid disease are found early.
- Carotid ultrasound and heart-rhythm monitoring on site
- Blood-pressure and cholesterol targets set for stroke prevention
- Sleep-apnea screening , an often-missed stroke and diabetes driver
2×higher risk of heart disease and stroke with diabetesSource: CDC
#1diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S.Source: National Kidney Foundation
1 in 3adults with diabetes has chronic kidney disease , most don't know itSource: CDC
70%+time-in-range is the modern goal , A1C alone misses daily highs and lowsSource: International Consensus on TIR
Comprehensive care & prevention
We look beyond your A1C.
Educated patients know that good diabetes care is about preserving organ function for decades , not reacting to one high reading. Our prevention program is built for people who want to stay ahead of the disease.
Before diabetes
Prediabetes & Metabolic Syndrome
Fasting insulin, A1C, waist-to-height ratio, liver fat and lipid particle testing to catch insulin resistance years before diagnosis , and reverse it.
Cardiometabolic risk
Heart & Vascular Screening
Coronary calcium score, carotid ultrasound, ankle-brachial index and advanced lipids (ApoB, Lp(a)) so treatment intensity matches your real risk.
Organ protection
Kidney, Eye & Nerve Checks
Annual urine albumin, eGFR trend, retinal exam coordination and foot/nerve testing , the complications that are cheapest to prevent and most expensive to miss.
Lifestyle medicine
Nutrition, Weight & Sleep
Medically supervised weight management including GLP-1 therapy when appropriate, nutrition planning, and in-house sleep-apnea testing (untreated apnea worsens glucose control).
Your care journey
Acute when you need it. Chronic optimization every day in between.
You should know exactly how your team responds when something goes wrong , and how it keeps you improving when nothing does.
Acute management
Rapid response that keeps you out of the ER
Severe highs, unexpected lows, sick-day insulin changes, new steroid prescriptions, pump failures , these cannot wait six months.
- Your CGM or pump alerts you (and, with your permission, us) to a dangerous pattern.
- Same-day remote data review by your diabetes clinician , no drive, no waiting room.
- Insulin, pump settings or medication adjusted the same day via secure telemedicine.
- If cardiac symptoms accompany the event, a cardiologist is in the same building.
Chronic management
Data-driven micro-adjustments, not six-month guesses
Long-term control is won in small steps. We use your device data to make precise changes between visits so every quarter you are better than the last.
- Your pump, CGM and connected glucometer upload automatically to our secure clinic platform.
- Every 2–4 weeks we review time-in-range, overnight patterns, basal rates and bolus timing.
- We send you a plain-language summary and any setting changes , you approve, you understand.
- Quarterly in-person or video visits tie it together with heart, kidney and lipid results.
Advanced diabetes technology hub
Say goodbye to logbooks. Hello to automated insulin delivery.
We start, manage and fine-tune the most advanced hybrid closed-loop pumps and continuous glucose monitors available , and we read the data with you, so you master your own care.
Insulin Pumps , Automated Insulin Delivery (AID)
Hybrid closed-loop systems that adjust insulin every five minutes based on your CGM. Fewer lows, more time-in-range, better sleep. We handle prescriptions, insurance authorization, training and ongoing tuning.
Omnipod 5Tandem t:slim X2 · Control-IQ+Tandem MobiMedtronic MiniMed 780GBeta Bionics iLetSequel twiist
Eversense 365 , the only one-year CGM
A tiny sensor placed under the skin of the upper arm in a short office procedure lasts up to a full year , no weekly sensor changes, no adhesive failures, on-body vibration alerts, readings to your phone every five minutes. We are an experienced Eversense insertion center.
365-day sensorFDA-cleared iCGMiPhone & AndroidAges 18+
Wearable CGMs , Dexcom & Abbott Libre
For patients who prefer a 10–15 day patch sensor, we prescribe and manage Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3, connect them to your pump when appropriate, and review the reports remotely.
Dexcom G7Dexcom Stelo (OTC)FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus
Unified data platform & connected glucometers
Every device uploads to one secure clinic view. We analyze time-in-range, glucose variability, basal rates and bolus patterns , and share the screen with you at every visit.
Dexcom ClarityGlookoTandem SourceMedtronic CareLinkLibreViewCellular glucometers
Type 2 diabetes and tired of daily injections?
Read Dr. Agrawal's new article on tubeless CGM & Omnipod patch-pump therapy (9-minute read) →
Connect your device before your first visit
Tech-savvy patients hate repeating themselves. Share your data once and your team walks into the room already knowing your patterns.
- Request your appointment below , we email you our clinic code.
- Open your device app (Dexcom Clarity, Glooko, Tandem Source, CareLink, LibreView or Eversense) and choose Share with clinic.
- Enter the code. That's it , data flows securely and automatically from then on.
Dexcom ClarityG7, Stelo
GlookoOmnipod 5, meters, pens
Tandem Sourcet:slim X2, Mobi
Medtronic CareLinkMiniMed 780G
LibreViewFreeStyle Libre 3 Plus
Eversense AppEversense 365
Why proactive patients choose us
How we compare with a traditional endocrinology clinic
Most diabetes clinics in our area still list "Type 1, Type 2 and thyroid" and stop there. Here is what you get when diabetes care lives inside a heart center.
| What matters to you | Athens Heart Center | Typical endocrine clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Heart, kidney & stroke risk managed in the same visit | Yes , cardiologists, vascular imaging and sleep lab on site | Separate referrals, separate offices |
| Insulin pump / automated insulin delivery program | Omnipod 5, Tandem, Medtronic, iLet , start to fine-tune | Often not advertised or limited |
| Remote data review between visits | Every 2–4 weeks with plain-language summary | Data reviewed at the visit, every 3–6 months |
| Same-day telemedicine for acute problems | Yes | Portal message; next available slot |
| Shared decision-making with your own data on screen | We teach you to read your own reports | Varies |
| Sleep-apnea testing (a hidden driver of high glucose) | In-house, at-home study within 48 hours | Outside referral |
"Typical endocrine clinic" reflects services publicly listed by area endocrinology practices as of September 2026. Individual practices may offer more; ask them.
For the data-driven patient
You already check your time-in-range. We'll show you basal-rate heat maps, glucose variability and how each change moved the needle.
For the patient with heart or kidney disease
You need medicines that protect the heart and kidneys while lowering glucose , and one team that agrees on the plan. That is exactly what we do.
For the busy professional
Remote monitoring, video visits and a one-year sensor mean fewer appointments, fewer supply hassles and more of your life back.
Serving Northeast Georgia
Athens' cardiometabolic diabetes center , close to home
Located on Prince Avenue in the heart of Athens' medical district, with free parking and video visits for the whole region.
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Visit or connect
Athens Heart Center & Specialty Clinics
2005 Prince Avenue
Athens, GA 30606
Phone: 706-208-9700
Sleep & Wellness Center: 706-613-6990
New patients: same-week appointments
Telemedicine: available statewide in Georgia
Articles from our doctors
Plain-language guides written by the physicians who treat you
No sponsored content, no generic health-site copy. Each article is written by an Athens Heart Center physician and reviewed before it is published.
New this week
From Daily Injections to Innovation: Mastering Glucose Control with Tubeless CGM & Patch Pump Technology (Omnipod®)
Eliminate daily shots with Omnipod 5 tubeless patch technology. Learn how our Athens Heart Center team helps people with Type 2 diabetes move from multiple daily injections to automated insulin delivery , and what that does to Time in Range, lows and day-to-day freedom.
Read the full articleSleep apnea and high morning glucose: the link most clinics miss
Untreated apnea raises overnight cortisol and morning sugars. A 48-hour home test can show it.
Three kidney numbers every person with diabetes should know
eGFR, urine albumin and blood pressure , and what "normal" should look like at your age.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for informed patients
Yes. We start new pump patients, switch patients between systems, and fine-tune settings for Omnipod 5, Tandem t:slim X2 and Mobi with Control-IQ+, Medtronic MiniMed 780G, Beta Bionics iLet and the Sequel twiist. We handle insurance authorization and training, and we review your pump data remotely between visits.
Eversense 365 is the first FDA-cleared CGM with a sensor that lasts up to a full year. It is placed under the skin of the upper arm in a short office procedure, sends a reading to your phone every five minutes and vibrates on your body for highs and lows. It is approved for adults 18 and older with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and is covered by Medicare and many commercial plans.
Because the complications that actually harm people with diabetes are cardiovascular: heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. Treating glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol and kidney function in one coordinated plan prevents complications that a glucose-only approach misses. Modern diabetes medicines such as GLP-1 and SGLT2 therapies were proven in cardiology trials , this is where they belong.
Yes , and we encourage it. After you request an appointment we send a clinic code. Enter it in Dexcom Clarity, Glooko, Tandem Source, Medtronic CareLink, LibreView or the Eversense app under "Share with clinic," and your reports flow to us automatically from then on.
Most plans do not require a referral; HMO plans sometimes do , call us and we will check for you. We accept Medicare and most major commercial plans. Our team also handles prior authorization for pumps, CGMs and newer diabetes medicines.
Absolutely. Many patients see us for a cardiometabolic risk evaluation , calcium score, advanced lipids, kidney markers, carotid and rhythm screening , and we coordinate with your existing endocrinologist or primary care physician. You choose how much of your care to bring here.
Ready for diabetes care that protects your whole body?
New patients are usually seen within the week. Bring your device data , or connect it ahead of time , and leave your first visit with a plan for your glucose, heart, kidneys and brain.
Or call 706-208-9700