November is National Diabetes Month

Did you know that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease or suffer a stroke, and at an earlier age compared to those without the disease? Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, doesn’t come with warning signs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 86 million American adults– that’s about a third of us – have prediabetes. The scary part is that 9 out of 10 don’t have a clue! Without making proactive lifestyle changes, 15-30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years … which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

So, how are you to know whether or not you’re one of these 86 million Americans? A simple screening can tell you if your glucose levels put you at risk for prediabetes and from that, you can be tested to see if you have developed type 2 diabetes.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you overweight?

• Are you 45 years of age or older?

• Do you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes?

• Are you physically inactive?

• Did you have gestational diabetes or give birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds?

This is something you can learn to manage but the time to start is now. Join us in November for one of the free community screenings to learn more and to find out If you’re at risk!