The study reported that an estimated 45 percent of women with diabetes have heart disease. Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. …
Heart Disease: A Consequence of Diabetes
A recent study published in the April issue of Diabetes Care reports
that diabetes runs a more severe course in women than in men Women are at
a greater risk for diabetes-associated heart disease and blindness than
men
The study reported that an estimated 45 percent of women with
diabetes have heart disease In comparison, less than 39 percent of men
with diabetes have heart disease
Once women develop heart disease, their prognosis is poorer than that
of men In fact, women have a higher risk of dying after suffering a heart
attack or having a second heart attack than do men Annually, in America,
heart disease kills more than 50,000 more women than men
Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States Cases
among 30-somethings increased by 76 percent over the past 10 years
Researchers estimate that more than 25 million women are affected by the
disease and dont know it Currently, women make up 60 percent of
diabetics African-American, Alaskan Native, American Indian and Hispanic
women are at much greater risk of diabetes than Caucasian women
So what can women do to lessen
their risk? Dr Evelyn Crayton, a
foods and nutrition specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension
System and a registered dietitian, says women can fight back by taking
control of the ABCs of diabetes
A is for A1C The A1C test hemoglobin-A1C measures your average
blood glucose over the last three months The suggested target: below 7
B is for blood pressure High blood pressure makes your heart work
too hard Suggested target: 130/80
C is for cholesterol Bad cholesterol, or LDL, builds up and clogs
your arteries
Suggested LDL target: below 100
Crayton offers the following advice to lower your risk for heart
attack and other diabetes problems:
Do some physical activity every day
Eat less fat and salt
Eat more fiber–choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans
Stay at a healthy weight
Stop smoking
Take medicines as prescribed
Ask your doctor about taking aspirin
Ask others to help you manage your diabetes
SOURCE: Dr Evelyn Crayton, Foods and Nutrition Specialist, Alabama
Cooperative Extension System 334 844-2224
Source:gwu.edu
