If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, there is a good chance you may also have high cholesterol, high blood pressure along with high blood glucose—also known as blood sugar. You are also likely to be overweight or obese.
All of these factors put you at an increased risk of developing heart disease and other diabetes-related complications. Adults with diabetes have heart-disease-related death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes. A history of heart disease in your family also increases your risk.
While you can’t change the fact that diabetes or heart disease runs in your family, there are ways to ward off the damage. Careful monitoring of blood cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight is the first step.
95% of people with diabetes have some abnormal levels of cholesterol.
There are two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL. LDL or low-density lipoprotein is the “bad” cholesterol. It causes the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Too much of it can cause a heart attack or stroke. HDL or high-density lipoprotein is the “good” cholesterol. It provides protection by removing the “bad” cholesterol from your blood vessels. An ideal LDL cholesterol level should be less than 70 mg/dl, and a woman’s HDL cholesterol level ideally should be close to 50 mg/dl. Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dl
If you’re overweight and most of your weight is located in the abdominal area, you are at a greater risk for heart disease. Belly fat is associated with increased production of LDL “bad” cholesterol. If your waist measures more than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, start a weight-loss and exercise plan.
Your body mass index is another good indicator of whether you are at a healthy weight. A person’s ideal body weight varies by gender, age, height, and frame. A body mass index (BMI) of 18.6-24.9 is desirable.
Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the wall of your blood vessels.
If you have high blood pressure, your heart must work harder to pump blood. High blood pressure can strain your heart, damage blood vessels, and increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, eye problems, and kidney problems. Your blood pressure should be below 130/80 mm Hg.
Blood sugar is measured by the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in your blood. An HbA1c test gives you a picture of your average blood sugar control for the past 2 to 3 months and provides you with a better idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.
The higher your A1C number, the higher your blood glucose levels have been during the past three months. Elevated levels of blood glucose can harm your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.
The HbA1c goal for many people with diabetes is below 7 percent. However, depending on your diabetes history and general health your goal may be different. You should discuss your A1C target with your health care provider. If you have prediabetes, the HBA1c goal is less than 6 percent.
Maybe you are not experiencing any symptoms at this time. However, monitoring these four numbers is still essential. There are no symptoms for people with prediabetes, and diabetes may be severe before there are any warning signs.
Likewise, people have no way of knowing they have high cholesterol or high blood pressure without being tested. Next time you go to your healthcare provider be sure to ask about your critical numbers. If your numbers are not at the target level, work with your health care provider to develop a plan to reach these goals.
Constance Brown-Riggs, is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, national speaker and author of the Diabetes Guide to Enjoying Foods of the World, a convenient guide to help people with diabetes enjoy all the flavors of the world while still following a healthy meal plan. Follow Constance on social media @eatingsoulfully
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