Having diabetes means that you're likely to have certain conditions, or risk factors, that increase your chances for having heart disease or a stroke. These conditions are:
- being overweight or obese
- having high blood pressure
- having abnormal blood fat (cholesterol) levels
- having protein in the urine
- having a family history of heart disease
You can't change your family history, but taking care of your diabetes and the conditions that come with it can lower your chances of having a heart attack or a stroke. You can do this by keeping your ABCs of diabetes on target. Listed below are the ABC targets set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for most people with diabetes. The closer your numbers are to the targets, the better your chances of delaying or preventing a heart attack or a stroke. Write down your most recent results and your targets. If you're unsure of your results or your targets, talk with your health care team.
- A is for A1C or estimated average glucose. It's the blood glucose (sugar) check "with a memory." It tells you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months.
- B is for blood pressure. Your blood pressure numbers tell you the force of blood inside your vessels. When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder than it should.
- C is for cholesterol. Your cholesterol numbers tell you the amount of fat in your blood. Some kinds, like high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, help protect your heart. Others, like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, can clog your blood vessels and lead to heart disease. Triglycerides are another kind of blood fat that raises your risk for a heart attack or a stroke.