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Time for a CheckUp?

Before you start on any health or fitness plan, you should see your doctor for a check up. A check up can help you monitor all your risk factors, giving you a total picture of your health, from blood pressure to your family history. Your doctor can also help you decide what changes will have the biggest effect on your health. You'll probably want to make some lifestyle changes, perhaps to your diet and exercise habits. And that's not always easy, so start small.

Download our CheckUp Chart for guidelines to help you know when to ask your doctor about screenings to prevent diabetes and heart disease.

What is CheckUp America?

CheckUp America is a national prevention initiative of the American Diabetes Association aimed at helping people learn how to lower their risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Recent research suggests many people believe lifestyle changes to reduce risk are “too hard,” indicating they are uninformed about the small steps that can be taken to reduce their disease risk. Thankfully, changes to improve heart health aren’t too hard—they just require a little knowledge and determination.

To understand your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, it’s important to know your cardiometabolic health, which is made up of cardiometabolic risk factors. Some risk factors can be managed (modifiable factors) because you can take action against them. Other factors cannot be changed (non-modifiable factors) because they represent who you are.

Either way, understanding and managing your risk factors can help you avoid diabetes and heart disease and live a longer, better life.  Click on the links below to learn more.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

  • Age
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Family history

Are you ready to change?
Making a few small changes to eat healthier and be more active can have a big effect on your health. Going slowly raises your chances of being able to stick with your changes. Learn how to get started.

Learn more about the link between diabetes and heart disease.

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