How Is Diabetes Managed? Follow the ABCs

Finding out what your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are is the first step in helping you and your doctor manage your diabetes and prevent complications.

Ask your doctor what your goals should be for the following:

A for the A1C Test

The A1C test shows your average blood glucose level over the past three months. The A1C goal for many people with diabetes is below 7%.

B for Blood Pressure

The blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mm Hg.

C for Cholesterol

If you are over 40 years of age, you may need to take a medicine that lowers cholesterol.

S for Stopping Tobacco Use

Not using tobacco is especially important for people with diabetes because both smoking and diabetes narrow blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Sometimes, even the smallest of changes can have a positive impact on your health. If you enroll in our diabetes DM program, a registered nurse will support you in making choices that will improve your diabetes control.

Learn more and begin the enrollment process now.

Source: From Managing Diabetes, by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases