Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world. More than 30 million Americans have this disorder. Here, Statcare Urgent Care doctors talk about the ABC’s of diabetes. Visit your nearest urgent care for diabetes symptoms.
What can I do to stay as healthy as possible if I have diabetes? — If you have diabetes (sometimes called diabetes mellitus), the most important thing you can do is to control your “ABCs”:
●”A” stands for “A1C” – A1C is a blood test that shows what your average blood sugar level has been during the last few months.
●”B” stands for “blood pressure” – If you have diabetes, controlling your blood pressure is just as important as controlling your blood sugar. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
●”C” stands for “cholesterol” – Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. High cholesterol is another factor that increases your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious problems.
Why are my ABCs so important? — Compared with people who do not have diabetes, people who have diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke. People with diabetes also have heart attacks at a younger age, and that are more severe and more deadly. Plus, people with diabetes are much more likely to get kidney disease. By keeping your ABCs under control, you can lower your risk of these problems by a lot.
Stop by any of our clinics to get your blood pressure checked as well as get your A1C and cholesterol levels checked.
Note: Cholesterol levels are accurate when drawn after fasting for at least 8-12 hours. Drinking water is allowed.
