Introduction
Diabetes is not one but rather several diseases with one common denominator: a problem with insulin. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, it's important for you to know that diabetes doubles a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Use this condition center to learn about diabetes and CV disease, become familiar with the 5 questions you should ask your doctor once you've been diagnosed, and understand what you can do to become or stay as healthy as possible.
Use the links at the left of the screen (or scroll down) to access different features of this condition center.
This Condition Center is supported in part by an educational grant provided by: Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America and sanofi-aventis Pharmaceuticals
Back to TopLearn About Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
 | Diabetes is not one but rather several diseases with one common denominator: a problem with insulin. This critical hormone, produced in the pancreas, helps glucose enter cells so that it can be used as a source of fuel. Without insulin to open this cellular pathway, glucose stays in the blood resulting in high levels of blood glucose (“blood sugar”). |
High blood glucose damages nerves and blood vessels leading to a variety of complications including blindness, stroke, kidney disease, and amputation. Importantly, diabetes doubles a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease.
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Back to TopQuestions to Ask Your Cardiologist
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, there are several key questions that you should ask your cardiologist during your next visit. These questions will ensure that you and your doctor have discussed your major risk factors so that you can become or stay as healthy as possible.
1. How often should I check my sugars and what numbers should I see? 2. What should I eat and what should I avoid? 3. Do I have high blood pressure? How should I treat that? 4. What weight should I be and how can I achieve that? 5. What is my HbA1c and what should it be? |  |
In addition to the above questions, you should also review the ABCs of Diabetes Education with your doctor.Back to TopNews
.GIF "News image") | Stay up-to-date with the most recent advances in cardiovascular disease by reading CardioSmart News. The articles featured here are patient summaries of the latest information from healthcare specialists who have dedicated their lives to helping others stay heart healthy. |
Back to TopHelpful Links
Below are some helpful links to help you learn more about your condition and how to manage your risk factors:
American Diabetes Association
Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator
Diabetes Risk Test
Diabetes and Heart Disease and Stroke Toolkit
National Diabetes Education Program Back to TopVideo Library
Family History
Family history can be such an important predictive factor for your own health, so it is imperative that you take the time to find out as much as you can about the health of your blood relatives. Watch the video now. |  |
 | Diabetes and Heart Disease: Management with a Team Approach
Diabetes raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. To help reduce your risk of heart disease, it is important to work with a team of health care providers to manage all aspects of your diabetes. Watch the video now. |
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