Living with Diabetes

Taking care of your diabetes and the conditions that come with it can help you lower your chances of heart and blood vessel disease. Even if you have heart disease or have already had a heart attack or a stroke, every step you take to keep your ABCs (A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol) in your target range will help lower your risk of future heart disease or a stroke.

A is for A1C. Your A1C check, which also may be reported as estimated average glucose (eAG) tells you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months.

B is for blood pressure. High blood pressure makes your heart work harder than it should.

C is for cholesterol. Your cholesterol numbers tell you about the amount of fat in your blood. Some kinds, like HDL cholesterol, help protect your heart. Others, like LDL cholesterol, can clog your arteries. High triglycerides raise your risk for a heart attack or a stroke.

A1C

Get an overall picture of your average blood glucose for the past two to three months.

Blood Pressure

An important part of taking care of yourself is keeping your blood pressure under control.

Cholesterol

Managing your cholesterol and other blood lipids (also called blood fats) can help you prevent other problems.