Get Heart Smart! Know Your ABCs of Diabetes Care

Imagine a river winding through miles of countryside. It is full of fresh water which provides nutrients and moisture to the trees, flowers, and the land around it. Did you know that your blood is a lot like that river? Just like water running through a stream, your blood flows through your arteries, capillaries and blood vessels carrying oxygen and nutrients to organs in your body.

Every part of your body needs a fresh supply of blood to stay healthy. But if your blood vessels and organs use blood with high blood sugar levels, they can become damaged. Over time, this can lead to serious life-threatening complications. So, if you're not taking your diabetes seriously, your risk for heart attack or stroke will increase.

Unfortunately, most people don't get any warning before a heart attack or stroke occurs. To spot potential problems that might lead to a heart attack or stroke, people with diabetes need to get three important tests. These are easy to remember when you think of them as the ABCs of Diabetes Care:

A1c - Measures your average blood sugar for the previous three months.

Blood Pressure – Measures the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels. (See the "Ask Amanda" article for more information.)

Cholesterol – Measures the "bad" LDL cholesterol that can clog your blood vessels.

After your A1c, blood pressure and cholesterol tests are completed, learn more about your results. Ask if your test results fall within the target range recommended by your doctor. Your doctor can make changes to your plan of care to improve your test results and reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke.

So, get smart about your heart, know the ABCs of Diabetes Care and work with your doctor to reduce your risk!

From the desk of Nurse Lorraine - Take Control of Your Health Using the ABCs of Diabetes Care

Dear Friend, In "Get Heart Smart! Know Your ABCs of Diabetes Care" found in this issue, you learned about three important tests (A1c, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol) you should get from your doctor.

But the ABCs of Diabetes Care shouldn't stop when you leave your doctor's office. There are a few simple things YOU can do to help keep your A1c, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol levels within healthy ranges. Here are a few tips you should use to reduce your risk of serious complications.

A1c – Lower A1c to less than 7%.

• Get an A1c test at least twice a year.
• Make healthy food choices and eat the correct portion size.
• Test your blood sugar regularly.
• Be active at least 30 minutes each day. (Check with your doctor before any physical activity.)

Blood Pressure – Lower blood pressure to less than 130/80 mmHg.

• Get your blood pressure checked each time you visit your doctor.
• Choose foods that are high in fiber and low in sodium.
• Reach and stay at a healthy weight.
• Take your blood pressure medications as prescribed. Do not skip any doses.
• Lower your alcohol intake.
• Say no to nicotine! Stop smoking cigarettes, or using any other tobacco products.

Cholesterol - Lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol to less than 100 mg/dL.

• Get regular cholesterol check-ups at least once a year.
• Eat less saturated fat commonly found in butter, red meat, egg yolks, 2% and whole dairy products.
• Choose lean meat and poultry and eat fish at least twice a week.
• Avoid foods high in trans fat. Foods that often contain trans fat include doughnuts, fried chicken, french fries and margarine.
• Take cholesterol lowering medications as prescribed.

By understanding the ABCs of Diabetes Care, you can take control of your health and reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. Remember, you CAN make a difference to control your diabetes and live a healthier life!

Sincerely,
Lorraine Farrar, RN, APN, MSN, BC-ADM, CDE
Director, Better Care

Better Care at Home Watch Out for Hidden Sodium!

Prepared seasonings often have high levels of salt which can increase your risk for high blood pressure. Learn which natural spices bring out the best natural flavors in food and start eating smart.

Table salt and other prepared seasonings are a major source of sodium in the American diet. If you usually add salt to food while preparing it or at the table (especially before tasting it), this is the first place to start cutting back. Learn to use spices and herbs and to enjoy the natural flavor of food.

Source: American Heart Association

Better Care Follow-up - Take this with you to your doctor

By Lorraine Farrar, RN, APN, MSN, BC-ADM, CDE

Having diabetes puts you at much higher risk for heart attack and stroke. That's why it is important for you to know about the ABCs of Diabetes Care. The ABCs of Diabetes Care are three tests you should get regularly: A1c, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol.

Take action now to lower your risk for heart attack and stroke by taking the following steps:

• 1. Call your doctor. Schedule an appointment to get these tests: A1c, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol.
• 2. Write down your appointment information in the spaces provided below.
  • I have an appointment with Dr.___________________________________________
  • Date ______________________ Time of appointment ________________________
  • The office phone number is ______________________________________________
• 3.Tear out this page and take it with you to your doctor appointment.
• 4.Ask your doctor to explain your test results.
• 5.Know what your test results mean. Ask your doctor about your risk for heart disease or stroke.

If your numbers aren't where they should be, find out what you can do to improve them.

Please read this newsletter to learn how you can reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. For more information, call 1-877-700-3800 to speak with one of our Certified Diabetes Educators. If you would like to listen to a pre-recorded Better Care "Newsflash" about the ABCs of Diabetes Care, call 1-866-310-5838 during the months of April, May and June 2009.

By keeping your ABCs of Diabetes Care under control, you will help protect yourself against developing serious diabetes-related complications.

Fun Food Facts - Tip of the day

By Ken Jenkins, RD, LDN, CDE
Always add color to your meal. This will give you a better chance of adding antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients found in our foods that can prevent or slow down damage to our bodies. Adding colorful fruits and vegetables to your plate is a perfect way of adding antioxidants. Remember, a little color can go a long way to a healthier you.

(Ken is a Certified Diabetes Educator at AmMed Direct. Ken has two bachelor's degrees; one in Exercise Physiology and another in Nutrition. )

FREE Phone Consultations with Certified Diabetes Educators

Have you ever asked yourself…
"I have diabetes. What can I eat?"
"How can I get a meal plan that will help me control my blood sugar?"
"What should my blood sugar be?"
"My doctor just told me I have diabetes – what should I do now?"
"My doctor says I should test my blood sugar, but it’s always high. What’s the point?"
"How do I keep from having an amputation?"
"How can I prevent complications like heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney failure?"

You’re not alone!

The good news is – we’re here to help! You can get answers to questions like these from our expert team of Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE). All of our CDEs have been trained to educate people about their diabetes self-care choices and have received certification from the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. In addition to diabetes education, our on-staff CDEs have completed other specialized training in nursing and dietetics. CDEs also teach Better Care UniversityTM classes at AmMed Direct, to share their .k nowledge of diabetes care with other employees.

Personal, Private and Confidential.

When you speak with a CDE, you receive the personal attention and help you deserve. And you can rest assured that your consultation is private and confidential and is not shared with any other persons or organizations.