HealthNotes

People with diabetes may face increased risks of other diseases and health conditions. For cardiovascular problems specifically, check out our expert-approved tips for better heart health:

• Regularly monitor blood pressure and take medications, if needed, to keep blood pressure in a healthy range (below 140/80, or as specified by your doctor).
• Take medications, such as anti-platelet drugs or aspirin, to minimize the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Quit smoking.
• Limit the amount of salt (sodium) in your diet.
• Lose weight or avoid weight gain.
• Limit or avoid alcohol.
• Keep your cholesterol in a healthy range—below 100 mg/dL for LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. HDL (“good”) cholesterol should be at least 40 mg/dL for men, and at least 50 mg/dL for women.
• Develop a regular physical activity program, such as walking, swimming, or biking.
• Keep your hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)—a measure of average blood sugar over two to three months—below 7%.

Of course, these tips won't all be suited to everyone, so remember to run them by your doctor first.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases