Diabetes is a chronic disease with the potential of affecting all organs and organ systems. Thorough patient education and understanding of the nature of the disease are critical factors to avoid or at least to delay severe complications of the disease.
Cardiovascular disease is one of the major complications of diabetes. 65 percent of diabetic people die from heart disease or stroke. The risk of cardiovascular disease can be controlled and reduced by considering the “A,B,C” of diabetes management.
A,B,C of Diabetes Management
- A – HbA1c: This is a laboratory parameter that measures control of blood sugar over the past three months and is influenced by anti-diabetic medicine, diet and physical exercises. HbA1c should be kept below 7%.
- B – Blood pressure: The critical role of hypertension in the development of heart disease is commonly known. In diabetic patients this negative impact is even enhanced.
Blood pressure should be kept less than 140/80 mmHg. - C – Cholesterol: High levels of fats in the blood may cause narrowing of the blood vessels that feed your heart and brain. Please ask your doctor for the target values of cholesterol.
Management of diabetes is complex and includes consequent medical treatment, attending regular consultations with your doctor and a thorough change of life style.
- Take medicines as ordered by your doctor.
- Attend the follow up visits as suggested by your doctor
- Improve your physical fitness.
- Keep a healthy diet.
- Control your weight.
- Refrain from smoking.
Having diabetes does not necessarily mean that you will develop heart disease. However, it is critical to be aware of the risk factors and learn to manage them. Normally the body warns us of approaching complication by showing symptoms. This unfortunately is not the case for high blood glucose, high cholesterol or hypertension. Heart attack or stroke can be the consequence.
Access to care, complexities in treatment, gaps in clinical knowledge, coordination of care and patient education are the main obstacles to achieve optimal control of cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. We cordially invite you to join our Amber Diabetes Registry or our Amber Diabetes Patient Education Program. Our highly specialized interdisciplinary Diabetes Care Team is looking forward to take care of you.
As Amber Clinics consider Diabetes Registry and Interactive Diabetes Education as a Corporate Social Responsibility, attendance of both programs is free of cost for everybody.
Please contact us if you have questions.
email: care@amberclinics.com
cell phone: 050 153 0873
Amber Clinics: Amber Clinics: Rigga, International City
Al Noor Polyclinics: Deira and Satwa
Dr Joseph Polyclinic: Karama, Qusais
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