To know how you’re doing with your diabetes control, the American Diabetes Association advises you to “know your ABCs” — your A1C (an indicator of blood glucose control), your blood pressure, and your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The following “ABC” targets have been set for healthy adults with diabetes:
A
A1C less than 7.0%, or lower if this can be achieved without significant hypoglycemia or other negative effects of treatment
B
Blood pressure lower than 140/90 mm Hg
C
Cholesterol and triglycerides
- HDL cholesterol for men, higher than 40 mg/dl; for women, higher than 50 mg/dl
- According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes between the ages of 40 and 75 with no additional cardiovascular disease risk factors are advised to take a moderate-intensity statin. People with diabetes of all ages who have cardiovascular disease, or those ages 40–75 who have additional cardiovascular risk factors, are advised to take a high-intensity statin.
- Triglycerides lower than 150 mg/dl
If you are not currently meeting these targets, ask your health-care team for help in getting closer.
Originally Published August 26, 2010
