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Diabetes increases risk of cardiovascular disease in women
Diabetes education specialists at the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment Thursday warned that women with diabetes are five times more at
risk of cardiovascular disease compared to women without diabetes. And, the rate
of deaths from a heart attack or stroke is greater in women with diabetes than
in men with diabetes.
In Colorado, it is estimated that over 50,000 women have diabetes.
Michelle Hansen, health systems coordinator with the department’s Diabetes
Prevention and Control Program, said, “Many individuals with diabetes don’t
consider heart disease to be a serious complication of diabetes. However,
individuals with diabetes are at a very high risk, especially women, for heart
attack and stroke.”
“Controlling diabetes requires good management of blood glucose (A1C), blood
pressure and cholesterol. Learning the ABCs of diabetes is a helpful tool in
remembering how to manage diabetes,” Hansen said.
Hansen provided the following information to assist individuals in managing
diabetes:
KNOW THE ABCs OF DIABETES
Per your health care provider’s direction, get checked for:
A - A1C, a blood test that measures the average of high blood glucose over
the last three months.
B - Blood pressure.
C - Cholesterol.
LOWERING A1C
• Eat less and exercise more.
• Get daily physical exercise – A little bit goes a long way. Work in the
garden; play with the children; take the stairs; work up to at least 30 minutes
of walking on most days; or split the time into a 10-minute walk after each
meal.
• Take medications as prescribed.
• Balance foods with carbohydrates throughout the day.
LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure raises the risk for heart attack, stroke, eye problems and
kidney disease. To reduce high blood pressure:
• Lose weight.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Reduce the amount of salt in the diet.
• Lower alcohol intake.
• Quit smoking – Call the Colorado Quitline at 1-800-639-QUIT for free
counseling and free nicotine patches.
• Take blood pressure pills when prescribed.
CHECKING AND CONTROLLING CHOLESTEROL
• Talk to your health care provider about what levels to aim for and
take medication as directed.
• Eat less saturated and trans fat. Select foods such as grilled or broiled lean
meats, including fish, turkey and chicken without the skin; low-fat dairy
products; and fresh fruits and vegetables
• Eat foods high in fiber such as oatmeal, lentils and legumes, peas, and fresh
fruits and vegetables.
• Drink at least eight glasses of fluids a day
• Read food packages to compare fiber content
• Exercise regularly
For more information, visit the Department of Public Health and Environment’s
Web site at <www.cdphe.state.co.us/pp/diabetes/index.html>
or call (303) 692-2580 or toll-free, 1-800-886-7689, ext. 2580.
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