What is Diabetes and CVD & How Does It Effect Your Cardiovascular Health?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are not normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose move from the blood into liver, muscle, and fat cells, where it is used for fuel for our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin properly. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. This not only harms the cells that need the glucose for fuel, but also harms certain organs and tissues exposed to the high glucose levels.  There are two main types of diabetes.  Type 1 diabetes - the body does not make insulin. People with Type1 need to take insulin every day.  Only 10% of all Diabetic patients have Type 1.  Type 2 diabetes - the body does not make or use insulin well. People with Type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most  common form of diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease.  If not properly treated it can lead to such health problems as:
Heart Disease & Stroke
Eye Disease - Can Lead to Permanent Vision Loss
Nerve Damage- Often Manifested in Appendages & Can Lead to Limb Amputations
Kidney Problems

Risk Factors For Diabetes Include:

• Age 45 & Older
• Overweight (BMI Above 30)- To Calculate BMI Click Here
• Ethnicity: African American, Hispanic/ Latin American or Pacific Islander or American Indian
• Family History
• High Blood Pressure (Above 140/90)
• High HDL (good cholesterol) & High Levels of Blood Fats
• Gestational Diabetes when Pregnant
• Active Less than 3 Times a Week

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, accounting for at least two out of three diabetes-related deaths.  Talk to your Doctor if you have three or more risk factors.