Sister to Sister

People with diabetes are twice as likely as those without it to have a heart attack or stroke. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes. Fortunately, by eating a healthy diet low in fat and sugar and staying active, you can control, delay, or even prevent diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that prevents the body from properly using glucose, the sugar that gives our bodies their main source of energy. As we eat, most of our food is broken down into glucose. After we digest our food, this glucose enters our bloodstreams, and a hormone called insulin helps our bodies to put it to good use for growth and energy. However, the bodies of people with diabetes don’t have enough insulin or don’t use insulin properly. As a result, they have too much sugar in their blood and can develop serious health problems.

What’s the link between diabetes and heart disease?

Over time, high glucose levels, or high blood sugar, can cause a buildup of fatty materials on the blood vessel walls. This buildup may affect blood flow, leading to clogging, the hardening of blood vessels (atherosclerosis), and a greater possibility of a heart attack or stroke.

If you have diabetes, these problems in your blood vessel walls increase your chances of developing heart disease. A diagnosis of diabetes as an adult carries the same risk as already having one heart attack.

What types of diabetes are there?

There are three main types of diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. The onset, which happens when the body doesn’t produce insulin, is sudden. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily.
• Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In many cases, it can be prevented or delayed. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t properly use insulin, which is sometimes called insulin resistance.
• Gestational diabetes, which is similar to type 2 diabetes, usually occurs during late pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes often disappears after the birth of the baby, women who have had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

There are three common testing methods.

• Random Blood Glucose Test: This is a basic test and does not require fasting. If your numbers are higher than 200 mg/dL, talk with your doctor about taking a more sensitive test. 200 mg/dL or less = ideal; above 200 mg/dL = high risk.
• Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG): This is a more sensitive test and is the kind most often used to diagnose or rule out diabetes. You will not be able to eat anything for at least eight hours before taking this test. Less than 100 mg/dL = normal; 100 to 125 mg/dL = borderline risk; 126 or more mg/dL = high risk.

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): This is the most sensitive test for diagnosing diabetes and requires fasting for at least 8 hours prior. Your blood glucose level will be checked immediately before and again two hours after drinking a liquid containing glucose dissolved in water. 139 mg/dL or less = normal; 140 to 199 mg/dL = pre-diabetes; 200 mg/dL or more = diabetes.

When a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, they have prediabetes. If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, you’ve been warned: it’s time to make safe choices to protect your health.

What are the signs and symptoms?

A blood glucose test can determine if you have, or are at risk, for diabetes. (Our Know Your Numbers chart provides specific guidelines.) People often don’t realize they have Type 2 diabetes because many of its symptoms can seem harmless. Recognizing the symptoms and getting early treatment can reduce complications down the road.

Some diabetes symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• Sores that do not heal

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.

What can you do?

You can do a lot to lower your chances of getting diabetes or to control it if you already have it. Taking these steps will also lower your risk of heart disease and give you a longer, healthier life!

• Get screened. The first step to protecting yourself against diabetes is finding out whether your blood glucose level is high. Sister to Sister offers random blood glucose testing (no fasting necessary). If the test is high, talk with your doctor about getting a fasting glucose test. A simple screening could save your life!
• Build your support system. It’s easier to make healthy changes when you can count on the support of the people in your life. Ask your friends and family for help as you work toward the goal of heart health. You can also visit the Sister to Sister Community to find other women on the same journey.
• Choose heart healthy foods. Paying attention to what you eat can help you lower your blood sugar levels. Limiting sugary drinks and starchy snacks is a great place to start. Learn more about choosing the right foods.
• Read food labels. Choose foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
• Lighten up. Losing weight can help you control, delay, or prevent diabetes. Use Sister to Sister’s tips to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• Get moving. An active lifestyle can help your body use insulin efficiently. Don’t worry, you don’t have to start out running marathons – there are plenty of easy ways to get active!
• Manage your medications. If you take medications, including over-the-counter drugs, be sure to take them as directed.

Remember, you don’t have to take all these steps at once! Adopting even a few can make a big difference.

Be sure to download our Preventing Diabetes fact sheet which contains this information in a printer friendly version.

This heart health fact sheet is also available in Spanish to download.