know ur diabetes ABC's

Talk to your health care team about how to manage your A1C (blood glucose or sugar), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. This will help lower your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke, or other diabetes problems. Here's what the ABCs of diabetes stand for:

A for the A1C test (A-one-C)
It shows you what your blood glucose has been over the last three months. The A1C goal for most people is below 7. High blood glucose levels can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.

B for Blood pressure.
The goal for most people is 130/80.

High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

C for Cholesterol. (ko-LES-ter-ol)
The LDL goal for most people is less than 100.
The HDL goal for most people is above 40.

LDL or "bad" cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or a stroke. HDL or "good" cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels.

• Ask your health care team:

  • What your A1C, blood pressure, and Cholesterol numbers are
  • What should your ABC numbers should be
  • What you can do to reach your targets
    

• Write down all your numbers on the record card at the back of this booklet.