(NAPSA)—More than 20 million adults in the United Statesareliving with diabetes, which puts them at an increased risk for developing heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, people with diabetes can learn to managetheir diabetes and cut their risk for heart attack and stroke by hie a( 22s"Heart ~aaesotDIADetes morethan half. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of early death among people with diabetes—about 65 percent of people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke. In fact, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke than adults without diabetes. Research showsthat the key to reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with diabetes is to control the ABCs—the ALC test, Blood pressure and Cholesterol—three of the major risk factors for heart disease. The A1C test measures your average blood glucose level over the past three months. High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. Meanwhile, bad cholesterol, or LDL, builds up and clogs your arteries. For most people, makinglifestyle changes isn’t easy. People with diabetes need to work with their health care team to develop an action plan to bring their ABCs to their target levels. For most people with diabetes, the target levels are A1C below 7, blood pressure below 130/80 and LDL cholesterol below 100. Have your A1C level checked at least twice a year. Have your blood pressure checked at each visit and your cholesterol checked at least once a year. Work with your health care team to use these tips to help you stay healthy: Reach and stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. * Be physically active every = Blood Pressure = Cholesterol People with diabetes are signifi- cantly more likely to suffer from heart disease. But there’s hope. You can reduce the risk by more than half. day. Dancing, walking, doing household chores or playing sports can help you lose weight and lower your blood pressure. Aim to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Eat foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, choles- terol, salt and added sugars. Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Eat more fiber. Choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dry peas and beans. Stop smoking. Smoking is one of the major risk factors associated with heart attack and stroke. Ask your health care team for help. Take your medications as directed. Ask your doctor about taking daily aspirin. Ask your family and friends to help you manage your diabetes. A little support goes a long way. For more information on how to manage your diabetes, or about the link between diabetes and heart disease, contact the Na- tional Diabetes Education Program at www.ndep.nih.gov or (800) 438-5383. Learn more about the ABCs of diabetes through NDEP’s “Be Smart About Your Heart. Control the ABCs of Diabetes.” campaign.
