Fond du Lac Diabetes Program

The Link Between Diabetes
and Cardiovascular Disease

Did you know:

CVD is a major complication and the leading cause of premature death among people with diabetes — about 65 percent of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke than people without diabetes.
Heart attacks occur at an earlier age in people with diabetes.
Smoking doubles the risk for CVD in people with diabetes.

The therapy goals for optimal diabetes management are:

A1C (blood glucose) <6.5%
Blood Pressure……..<130/80
Cholesterol—LDL….<100

People with diabetes can lower their CVD risk by making lifestyle changes — diet, weight management & increased physical activity — and drug therapy.

People with diabetes should:

Participate with their healthcare team in treatment decisions, set individual lifestyle goals, receive adequate education, and actively manage their disease.

Control their blood glucose and blood pressure to reduce the risk for eye, kidney, heart and nerve disease.

Control their blood pressure and cholesterol to reduce their risk for CVD.

Ask about aspirin therapy for CVD prevention.

If they smoke, get help to quit.

For every 1 percent reduction in hemoglobin A1C, the risk for microvascular complications decreased by 37%, diabetes-related deaths by 21%, and heart attack by 14%.

Decreasing Stress Lowers Your Risk

A recent study presented at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention showed that stress management training may decrease your Hemoglobin A1C (average blood sugar level by 1 percent or more. Reducing your Hemoglobin A1C level is associated with fewer diabetes complications.