 It has been proved that women with diabetics are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, there is good news – they can reduce the risks.
Women are special in many different important ways. For example, a woman is often the person responsible for making the health and lifestyle decisions for her husband and children. Now and then, she is so busy caring for others that she may neglect her own health.
Nearly 9.1 million women in the United States suffer form diabetes. This disease affects the way the body changes food into energy. Women of such nationalities as African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian/Pacific Islander are at least two to four times higher risks than Caucasian women. It is so because of the increasing lifespan of women and the rapid growth of minority populations, the number of women in the United States at high risk for diabetes and its complications are increasing.
Diabetes hits women harder in a multitude of ways. For example, women with diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease and stroke compared with men. 45% of women with diabetes have heart disease, compared to 39% of men. Moreover, once women develop heart disease they tend to have a poorer outcome than men. After suffering a heart attack, women are more likely to die or have a second heart attack than do men.
Besides, women that have diabetes are more likely to have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke than women without diabetes. These risk factors include high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Women can reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke by knowing their diabetes ABCs:
- A is for the A1C test. It is the blood test that measures blood sugar over the last two to three months. (Target range – less than 7%)
- B is for blood pressure. (Target range – less than 130/80 )
- C is for cholesterol. (Target range – LDL (bad) cholesterol less than 100 mg/dl )
Except of this women can take the following measures in order to reduce the risks for developing heart disease:
- Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers within your goal range.
- In case you smoke, get help to quit.
- Try to lead an active lifestyle.
- Eat low-fat meals that are high in fruits and vegetables, and whole grain foods.
- Take an interest in taking aspirin and other medicines that can help reduce the chance of having a heart attack or stroke in your doctor.
- Work together with a healthcare provider to manage diabetes and lower the risk for heart disease and stroke.
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