Diabetes Health Link

A for A1C

If you have diabetes, you are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke. You can lower your risk by taking care of the ABCs of diabetes. The A1C (A-one-C) check provides a "big picture" of your overall blood sugar levels over the last two to three months. Ask your diabetes care provider to perform this blood check.

If You Have Diabetes, Talk to Your Doctor about Your Increase Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke

If you have diabetes, you are at high risk for having a heart attack or stroke. You can help to lower your risk by managing the ABCs of diabetes. A is for A1C, a test that measures average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months; B is for blood pressure; and C is for cholesterol.

For people with diabetes, an individualized meal -- and lifestyle -- plan as an important aspect of managing diabetes and weight. Great emphasis should be placed on the importance of balancing food intake with daily physical activity. Such a balance is essential in promoting health including the prevention of diabetes and its complications, such as cardiovascular disease. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) proved that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by keeping weight in control and by increasing physical activity.

Why should you exercise?

The therapeutic use of physical activity for diabetes mellitus was prescribed as early as 600 B.C. by the Indian physician Sushruta, and was widely recommended by physicians of the 18th century. Today physical activity along with dietary management is recognized as one of the established principles of diabetes treatment.