Diabetes and Heart Health | NDEP ► Taking Care of Diabetes Means Taking Care of Your Heart

Diabetes and Heart Health | NDEP

Taking Care of Diabetes Means Taking Care of Your Heart

If you have diabetes, it’s important to manage your diabetes ABCs. Many people don’t know that having diabetes increases the chances of having heart problems, such as a heart attack or stroke. The National Diabetes Education Program wants you to understand that taking care of your diabetes can also help you take care of your heart. A is the A1C Test: The A1C test is a blood test the measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. B is Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the wall of your blood vessels. C is Cholesterol: There are two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or stroke. S is for Stopping Smoking: Stop smoking—ask for help or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. To learn more about the critical link between diabetes and heart disease, please visitYourDiabetesInfo.org/Heart.