Heart disease and stroke kill 65 percent of those who have diabetes. While deaths from heart attack have declined by 27 percent for most American women, in women who have diabetes the rate has actually increased over the last 30 years by 23 percent.

The news for men with diabetes is a little better, but even they are not keeping pace with other American men. Men with diabetes saw a 13 percent decrease in death from heart attack since 1970 but men without diabetes saw a 36 percent reduction. Not only are heart attacks more lethal in those who have diabetes, they also occur at an earlier age.

Why such poor outcomes? Unfortunately many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure (70%), elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels and sticky substances in their blood which causes them to clot more easily leading to blocked arteries to the heart and brain.

To lower risk, those who have diabetes need to know their Diabetes ABCs:

A - A1C test, a test which shows the average blood glucose level for the last three months should be under 7.

B - Blood pressure should be under 130/80

C - Cholesterol, specifically the LDL - cholesterol which clogs arteries - needs to be under 100.

To get these numbers in the desired range, people with diabetes need to work with their medical team to get more education and manage their disease better, they may need to:

lLose some weight and become physically active every day.

lSubstitute fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, low fat and non-fat dairy products and lean meat, fish and poultry for higher fat, higher sugar, higher sodium foods.

lTake medication to lower blood glucose, blood pressure, blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels. lQuit smoking.

lTake aspirin.

While some of these strategies are easier than others, there is no denying that lowering A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels make a difference in reducing diabetes complications including heart attack and stroke.

So knowing the ABCs of Diabetes and doing something about them if they are too high can make a big difference in someone's longevity and quality of life.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension has a newsletter and support group for Diabetes patients. If you have diabetes concerns, call our office at 706-359-3233. We will start sending you the newsletter every two months, free, and announcements when meetings will be held.