The American Heart Association considers diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In fact, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes.

Diabetes is treatable, but even when glucose levels are under control it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, most people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.
What Does this Mean?

Diabetes can cause your blood sugar to rise to dangerous levels. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into our bodies’ cells.

Why is Reducing Blood Sugar So Important?

Pre-diabetes and subsequent type 2 diabetes usually results from insulin resistance. When insulin resistance or diabetes occur with other CVD risk factors (such as obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and high triglycerides), the risk of heart disease and stroke rises even more.

Controlling glucose can slow the progression of long-term complications. Often, many small changes add up to surprising improvements in diabetes control, including less need for medication.
American Heart Association Guidelines

When diabetes is detected, a doctor may prescribe changes in eating habits, weight control, exercise programs and medication to keep it in check. It’s critical for people with diabetes to have regular check-ups. Work closely with your health care provider to manage your diabetes and control any other risk factors. For example, blood pressure for people with diabetes should be lower than 130/80 mm Hg.

For those of you who have been diagnosed with Diabetes, visit the American Heart Association’s Diabetes page where you can enroll in the “Reach Your Goals Guide” program to change your outlook on diabetes and take control of your life.

Those with Type 2 Diabetes can also learn their 10-year risk and ways to lower it by taking the Diabetes Health Assessment.

And don’t forget to take a look at the Diabetes-Friendly recipe collection.

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