Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes (in English)
Download This Publication (NDEP-52EN)
Want this item now? Download it here:
Print this Publication (NDEP-52EN)
To print large quantities of a publication, you can order printer-ready files for $20 each by calling 1-800-860-8747.
Order this Publication (NDEP-52EN)
To order a copy of this publication, select quantity and "add to cart".
- Hide order info
-
Single copies up to 10 copies, free. Each additional package of 10, $2. Limit 100 copies (10 packages).
This patient education sheet explains the link between diabetes and heart disease. It encourages patients to work with their health care team to set targets and manage their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It includes a record form to track target numbers.
Last reviewed: 02/02/2012
If you have diabetes, take care of your heart. Having diabetes means you are more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke—but it doesn’t have to—if you take care of your diabetes.
Over time, high blood glucose (sugar) can hurt organs in your body such as your kidneys and your eyes. High blood pressure can make your heart work too hard. And bad cholesterol, or LDL, builds up and clogs your heart and blood vessels.
Taking care of your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol means a longer and healthier life.
Ask Your Doctor
- What are my blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers?
- What should they be?
- What actions can I take to reach my goals?
Use the Diabetes Record Form to write down the answers to these questions.
Take Action Now
You can live longer, improve your health, and lower your risk of heart disease or stroke.
- Eat foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
- Eat foods made with less salt and fat.
- Be active 30 minutes or more each day.
- Stay at a healthy weight—by being active and eating the right amounts of healthy foods.
- Stop smoking—ask for help or call 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669).
- Take medicines the way your doctor tells you.
- Ask your doctor about taking aspirin.
- Ask for help if you feel down or have trouble with stress.
- Ask your family and friends to help you take care of your heart and your diabetes.
Application Required
PDF files require the
free Adobe Acrobat Reader
application for viewing.
WMV is Video file in Windows Media Player format. Download the free Windows Media Player application for viewing.
MP3 is Music file. Download the free Windows Media Player application for viewing.
All our publications are copyright-free. Please duplicate and distribute as many copies of these materials as desired. Online information may be more recently updated than printed materials.
Attention visually impaired visitors: To use common screen
reading programs with PDF documents, please visit Accessibly Resource Center
, which provides a set of free tools that convert PDF
documents to simple HTML or ASCII text.
