Diabetes Awareness Month: Understanding the Link Between Heart Disease and Diabetes

• LDL (bad) cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dl
• HDL (good) cholesterol:
  • Greater than 45 mg/dl (men)
  • Greater than 55 mg/dl (women)

Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dl

4) Lifestyle changes

Following a healthy lifestyle will go a long way towards reducing your risk of developing heart disease, slowing the progression of disease, and also helping to manage diabetes. Some of these factors include:

1) Eating healthy, balanced meals

2) Exercising regularly

3) Losing weight, and trying to maintain weight loss

4) Stopping smoking

5) Taking prescribed medication, if required

Understanding that there is a link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease is a very important step towards preventing the life-threatening complications of disease. You should talk to your doctor if you'd like to find out more about lowering your risk factors.

Related Information: 

Silent Heart Disease and Diabetes: "Why Don't I Feel It?"

Are You Ready to Change Your Behavior? 

Diabetes and Heart Risk: New Facts, Familiar Message 

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Melanie Thomassian is the author of Dietriffic.com, an online resource for credible dietary advice, exercise tips, and much more!