15 Things You Can Do to Avoid a Heart Attack


The meter displays blood sugar, 184 in this casePhoto by momboleum

5. Know Your Blood Sugar

Diabetes often has no symptoms until the person has had the condition for a number of years. Consistently elevated blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels and can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and a host of other medical problems. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 68 percent of diabetics over age 65 die from some form of heart disease. Your chances of heart disease are even greater if you have other risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or obesity. You should ask your doctor to check your blood sugar as part of your annual health screening. If your blood sugar is elevated, work closely with your doctor to manage your condition through a combination of exercise, diet, and medication.

Prev5 of 15Next