If you have diabetes, then you have a 9 out of 10 chance of developing cardiovascular or heart disease. This means you will more likely die of heart disease than other diabetes complications. How can you decrease your chances of a heart attack or stroke? Lowering your glucose levels to acceptable range is only part of the story. Other medical priorities for you should be controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol as well. Research tells health care professionals that up to 68% of diabetes patients do not know that they are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke.

Here is what you need to know to decrease your risk. It is as simple as A, B, C:

A: Know your Hemoglobin A1-C levels. What is Hemoglobin A1-C? Over time, uncontrolled diabetes allows glucose to attach to red blood cells, or more specifically the hemoglobin within those cells. There is a test that can be done to determine whether this has occurred. The higher the Hemoglobin A1-C level, the less controlled is blood glucose over the last 3 months. Ideal numbers should be no greater than 6.5 to 7.0. 

B: Keep your blood pressure under control!! Normal levels should be no greater than 135 over 80. If yours is lower, that is even better. Watch your salt, get some exercise, if you are on blood pressure medication, take it, and keep your weight under control to keep your blood pressure in tip-top shape (check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program).

C: Keep your blood cholesterol less than 200 and your "bad" cholesterol (LDL) level under 100. If you do not know what these levels are, ask your doctor to check them at your next visit. This test should be routine for all folks with diabetes and should be done on a yearly basis or sometimes more often if you already have heart disease. 

Protect your heart and live well with your diabetes. For more information, contact the American Diabetes Association and the National Diabetes Education Program by calling 1-800-438-5383 and ask for "Be Smart About Your Heart-Control the ABC's of Diabetes".

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