Diagnosis revealing that you have diabetes will undoubtedly lead to stress, especially considering the notions that come with the disease. You might be in denial about it, feel guilty about your lifestyle, or the things that you did to cause it. Having diabetes, however, doesn’t mean you can’t live a normal life. You just need to keep a close eye on your health and monitor it regularly.
It may seem impossible to handle diabetes at first, but there are many things you can do to manage the disease. Other than following a significant diabetic plan, you need to learn more about your condition and how to live with it. The American Diabetic Association (ADA) formulated steps to lower your chances of developing heart disease or suffering from a heart attack or stroke. These steps are called the ABCs, which stand for A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
A is for A1C
A1C is a blood test done at your doctor’s office. The ADA recommends that you aim for an A1C level of seven percent or less. An A1C level does not replace your blood sugar testing at home. It tells you how well you’ve managed your blood sugar levels over the last three months and your average blood sugar over that period. Your doctor will do an A1C test every six months or more often if you don’t meet the seven percent target.
B is for Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force at which blood pushes through your vessels. If you have diabetes, you need to keep it lower than the average rate which is 130/80 mmHg. You have to maintain it, as higher blood pressure can increase the chances of you suffering from a stroke, heart attack or hypertension. These diseases make your heart work harder than it should. Get your blood pressure checked every time you see a doctor.
C is for Cholesterol
Cholesterol is the fat inside your body that accumulates because of certain foods you eat. Your cholesterol level consists of your total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, good cholesterol, and triglycerides. Your target is 200 mg/dL of total cholesterol, less than 100 mg/dL of bad of cholesterol, greater than 40 to 50 mg/dL of good cholesterol, and less than 150 mg/dL of triglycerides.
When you meet ABC goals, you’re doing a great job. If not, talk to your physician or health care team to get your numbers under control. You should also get help to formulate a strict diabetic plan to manage your cholesterol levels reduce your risks of heart disease.