With All My Heart
Presented by:
Regina Weitzman, MD
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1-800-DIABETES
Objetives
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Provide a clear and simple definition of
diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Create awareness about the link between
diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Create awareness about the ABC’s of good
diabetes care.
Participants will be able to identify 3 actions
that can be taken to maintain a healthy heart.
Participants will be able to identify one
activity they will commit to incorporate
into their regular routine in an effort to
decrease their risk for heart-related
complications.
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DIABETES
• When you eat, your body breaks food down
into sugar and sends it into your bloodstream.
• Insulin (made in the pancreas) helps get the
sugar from the blood into the cells to be used
for energy needed for daily life. It’s like the
key that opens the door for the cells.
• Diabetes is when the body does not make
enough insulin or the insulin it makes does not
work well. Too much sugar in the blood can
mean that a person has diabetes.
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1-800-DIABETES
What is Pre-Diabetes?
• Pre-diabetes is when a person has too much sugar in their
blood, but not quiet high enough to be called diabetes. (100-125
mg/dl).
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People with pre-diabetes:
– Can make changes to their eating habits to help them lose weight
and increase their physical activity to delay or prevent diabetes.
• Eating healthy is for everyone, but it is especially important for
managing or preventing diabetes. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, what and how much you eat can affect your blood sugar.
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Health Problems and conditions
associated with Diabetes
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Heart disease.
Stroke
Eye problems (retinopathy).
Kidney problems
(nephropathy).
Wound Care
Amputations (neuropathy).
Dental problems
Impotence
Frequent infections
1-800-DIABETES
Conditions which increase your chances of having
heart disease or stroke
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Overweight or obesity
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels
Family history of heart
disease
• Smoking
• Diet high in fat
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1-800-DIABETES
ABC’s of Diabetes
• A- is for A1C
• B- is for Blood Pressure
• C- is for Cholesterol
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A-1-C
• The A1C check tells you your average blood
glucose levels for the past 2 to 3 months. Think of
it as a blood check with a “memory”.
• Your A1C target should be less than 7.
• The A1C test provides your health care provider
with a baseline of information on how well your
diabetes is under control
• The A1C test is a good indicator of what is a
normal level for you.
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Which activities can a person do to better
manage their diabetes and lower their A1C?
• Take your medication as instructed
• Monitor your blood glucose more closely and
record all responses to share with your health care
provider
• Be more active
• Work with your health care provider to develop a
plan for your diabetes management
• Develop a healthy meal plan
• Lose weight
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Blood Pressure
• Your blood pressure numbers tell
you the force of your blood inside
your blood vessels. When your
pressure is high, your heart has to
work harder.
• Your blood pressure target should
be 130/80
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Blood Pressure
• The target for blood pressure in good
diabetes management is below 130/80.
• Blood pressure has two numbers, the
systolic (top number) and diastolic
(bottom). The top number (130) is the
pressure as the heart beats and pushes
blood into the blood vessels.
• The bottom number (80) is the pressure
when the heart rests between beats and
vessels relax.
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Ways to manage blood pressure
• Follow a meal plan that includes
more fruits and vegetables
• Reduce the amount of salt eaten
• Lose weight
• Quit smoking
• Take your blood pressure
medication as prescribed
• Work to reduce any stress you
might be experiencing
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Cholesterol
• Your cholesterol numbers tell you
about the amount of fat in your
blood. Once type is called HDL
cholesterol which helps to protect
your heart. Another type, LDL
cholesterol can clog your blood
vessels or lead to hardening of the
arteries.
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What are normal cholesterol levels for people
with diabetes?
• Colesterol LDL – less than
100
• Colesterol HDL – higher
than 40 for men, and higher
than 50 for women
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Ways to manage Cholesterol
• Make wise food choices to reduce the fat in
your diet and choose fewer highcholesterol foods
• Lose weight
• Become more physically active
• Quit smoking
• Keep your blood glucose levels close to
your target
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Working with a Healthcare Provider
• They can assess the management of
your AIC, blood pressure and
cholesterol
• They can detect and minimize the risk
of diabetes complications
• They can develop your diabetes
management plan for healthy eating
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Review and Closing
• What are the ABC’s of good diabetes
management?
• Why is it important to know your A1C?
• What should be your target blood pressure?
• What should the cholesterol goals be for most
people with diabetes?
• Why is it important to work with your healthcare
provider?
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Objetive for the “Keep on track” booklet
• Create awareness of the
importance of getting your
A1C, blood pressure and
cholesterol checked
• Take with you to every
doctor’s visit to record
progress.
• Have a list of emergency
contacts
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For more information...
Contact the American Diabetes Association at
1-800-DIABETES (342-2383) or on the web at:
www.diabetes.org
Locally, call: 202-331-8303
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