Taking care of your heart and brain with diabetes

It’s common for people with high blood sugar to also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

You may be able to prevent these problems using the following tips.

Know your ABCS of diabetes

See more details on the diabetes ABCS

Act FAST if you have symptoms of stroke

Keep your blood sugar under control

• Eat a variety of healthy foods.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take your medicines as prescribed.
• Test your blood sugar often.

Manage your blood pressure

•  Lose weight (if needed).
• Excercise regularly.
• Reduce salt in your diet.

Reach your cholesterol target range

• Lower  the fat in what you eat through the following choices:
  • More fruits and vegetables
  • Less or no fried foods
  • Nonfat dairy options
  • Less red meat
  • When you buy meat, choose leaner cuts, and trim the fat
  • More fresh fish and chicken
  • Bake, roast, blacken, broil, or poach your meat and fish to reduce added fats
• Exercise regularly.

Quit tobacco

• Body tissue can’t thrive without strong blood flow. One of the effects of diabetes is the narrowing of blood vessels, and tobacco only makes that worse. Your eyes are especially at risk of very serious problems.
• If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about classes and other resources.