What is diabetes, and why is it a problem?
If you have diabetes, your body cannot make or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps control the sugar, or glucose, in your blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for your body. When you have diabetes, the levels of blood glucose are too high. High blood glucose can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, frequent urination, increased thirst, unintended weight loss, slow healing sores, and feelings of hunger and tiredness. However, some people with diabetes do not have symptoms. Diabetes is a serious disease. Over time, diabetes that is not well-controlled causes serious damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart.

About five to ten percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children, teenagers, or adults under age thirty. In people with type 1 diabetes, the body can no longer produce insulin.

About ninety percent of people in the United States with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is most common in adults over age forty, and the risk of getting type 2 diabetes increases with age. With this form of diabetes, the body does not always produce enough insulin or does not use insulin efficiently. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes tend have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease. In addition, when people with diabetes have heart attacks, their risk of having more cardiac events in the future increases significantly.

For more information about diabetes, click on the links below:
National Library of Medicine - English
National Library of Medicine - Español

How can New Heart help me if I have diabetes?
Our registered dietician can meet with you to discuss diabetes management through dietary changes.

Physical activity has been shown to reduce the onset of diabetes. New Heart can help you get started in an exercise routine that is designed specifically for you.

We will communicate with your other health care providers about changes in your blood sugar levels over time.