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"It is crucial that individuals with type 2 diabetes carefully monitor their blood sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Next time you visit your healthcare provider, be sure to ask for your critical health numbers to be screened and develop a plan, which may include diet, exercise and medication, to mange them."
— Dr. Daniel W. Jones, Past President, American Heart Association
Individuals with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have high levels of blood cholesterol, blood pressure and, of course, blood sugar, which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other serious complications.
It is recommended that individuals keep these critical health numbers within the following ranges:
| Critical Health Marker | Recommended Range | |
| Blood sugar The amount of sugar, also called glucose, in the blood |
HbA1c < 7% Blood sugar is measured by the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in your blood. An HbA1c test gives you a picture of your average blood sugar control for the past 2 to 3 months and provides you with a better idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. |
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| Blood pressure The force of blood against the arteries when the heart beats and rests |
Less than 130/80 mm Hg Blood pressure is typically measured by a device which uses the height of a column of mercury [Hg] to reflect the circulating systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic pressure is the peak pressure in the arteries, and diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure. |
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| Blood cholesterol A waxy substance produced by the liver |
LDL cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL HDL cholesterol level above 40 mg/dL for men and 50mg/dL for women Because cholesterol is unable to dissolve in the blood, it has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (or LDL) cholesterol, is known as "bad" cholesterol; high-density lipoprotein (or HDL) cholesterol, is known as "good" cholesterol. So, you want to have a lower level of LDL cholesterol milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL), and a higher level of HDL cholesterol mg per dL. |
It is important to schedule regular visits with your healthcare provider, who can easily determine your critical health numbers by conducting blood pressure tests and HbA1c tests, and by assessing your lipid profile. These procedures are relatively simple to perform.
By learning to carefully monitor and keep track of your numbers, ultimately on your own, you will be able to better manage your type 2 diabetes.
Tips to Normalize Your Numbers:
Even if your critical health numbers are currently outside the recommended range, following these tips may help normalize these numbers:
- Schedule regular visits with your healthcare provider, set health number goals and develop a plan to reach those goals.
- Carefully monitor your critical health numbers using blood sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol trackers.
- Work with your healthcare provider to increase your physical activity and eat a healthier diet.
Enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program
Monitoring your numbers on a regular basis will help you stay in the know. Tools to help make this easier to get one step closer to achieving your treatment goals and better managing your type 2 diabetes are available. Enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program today. 
