Do You Know Your ABCs?

To protect your heart, it may be time to learn these letters all over again

Sure, you learned them once, but it may be time to give those ABCs another go. The ABCs we’re talking about won’t help you learn to read, though. These letters will help keep your heart in tip-top shape.

Heart disease is a major problem for people with diabetes, who are at increased risk of developing all sorts of vascular (blood vessel) problems, says cardiologist David B. Goldner, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “And diabetes affects not only the blood vessels in your heart, but also the ones in your neck that lead to your brain and the blood vessels that run down to your legs.” Lack of blood flow to these important areas can cause heart attack, stroke and other severe complications, he says.

To maximize blood flow and minimize your risk of complications, Goldner says you need to control your HA1c (blood sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol—your “new” ABCs. Here’s what you need to know.

H A1c

This blood test—also called hemoglobin A1c or glycosylated hemoglobin—gives you and your doctor a picture of your blood sugar control over the previous three months. The result gives you a good idea of how your treatment plan is working.

Target: Your result should be less than 6.5 percent unless he tells you otherwise.

Frequency: Your doctor will test your A1c every 3 to 6 months.

Blood Pressure

Your blood pressure refers to the pressure on your blood vessel walls. “The higher the pressure, the greater your chance of developing a blockage,” Goldner says. Why? “Because high blood pressure can damage your heart arteries. And damaged arteries can lead to blood clots, causing a heart attack or stroke.”

Your doctor may treat your high blood pressure with medications such as ACE inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) or ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers). These medications open up and relax blood vessels, increasing blood flow. (Even if you don’t have high blood pressure, your doctor may also prescribe these medications to help protect your kidneys if you have type 2 diabetes.) Your doctor may also use beta blockers and diuretics to lower your blood pressure.

Target: Your blood pressure should be less than 130/80. (Ideal is less than 120/80.)

Frequency: You should have your blood pressure tested at every doctor’s appointment. You should also test it often on your own, either at home with an at-home test kit, or at a local pharmacy.

Cholesterol:

“Heart disease is the number-one cause of death among people with diabetes,” says Goldner. “That’s why we want to keep cholesterol under tight control.” In fact, adults with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to have a stroke or die of heart disease. “Because of this increased risk, we just assume people with diabetes have heart disease,” he says.

Target: Your “bad” LDL cholesterol should be 70 or less. Your “good” HDL cholesterol should be greater than 40 (men) and more than 50 (women). Goldner says it’s difficult for most people to reach these numbers without taking medication.

Frequency: Your doctor will determine how often your cholesterol needs to be checked, depending on previous results.

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