HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM
Cut Your Risk!
Diabetes increases risk of heart damage
Eighty-six million Americans now have prediabetes – that’s one out
of every three adults! Of those 86 million with prediabetes, nine out
of 10 of them don’t even know they have it. People diagnosed as prediabetic – as well as those diagnosed with having type 2 diabetes –
have an increased risk of heart failure, new research shows. Study
authors say the results underscore the need for improved diabetes
prevention and management.
In the study, a highly sensitive cardiac test was used to measure
information about the hearts of more than 9,000 participants. Compared with those who didn’t have diabetes, participants with prediabetes or diabetes were found to have more subclinical heart damage
– damage that doesn’t cause symptoms, but increases the risk of heart
problems.
Some of the risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, such
as being overweight and physically inactive, can make you feel sluggish and affect your mood. If you do have prediabetes, research
shows that making just two positive lifestyle changes can help you
delay – or even prevent – type 2 diabetes:
•
Lose five to seven percent of your body weight (for a 200pound person, this would be 10 to 14 pounds).
•
Be physically active at least 30 minutes per day, most days
of the week.
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In addition to preventing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, there
are many other benefits to regular physical activity. Exercise can
help you:
•
Lose weight
•
Lower your blood sugar
•
Boost your sensitivity to insulin, which helps keep your
blood sugar within a normal range
Research shows that both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greater benefit comes from
a fitness program that includes both. Brisk walking is a great way
to get your exercise, and adopting a dog from your local shelter can
be terrific motivation to get you moving every day!
An important statistic: Without intervention, 15 to 30 percent of
people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five
years; with numbers like those, it’s important to take action now.
For an appointment with a Deborah endocrinologist, or more information about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s leading-edge
technologies can improve your quality of life, call 800-555-1990 or
request information/an appointment at www.demanddeborah.org.