Your Diabetes ABCs.

A stands for A1C test. This test measures your average blood glucose levels for the past three months. Your doctor should test your A1C at least twice a year. For most people with diabetes, the goal is to have an A1C “score” of less than 7.

B stands for blood pressure, a measurement of how hard your heart needs to work to keep your blood circulating. For most people with diabetes, the goal is to keep blood pressure below 130/80.

C stands for cholesterol, a fat found in your blood. There are two kinds of cholesterol: LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and HDL, or “good” cholesterol. For most people with diabetes, the goal is to keep: LDL cholesterol below 100.
HDL cholesterol above 40 (HDL for men > 40 and for women > 50).

Ask your doctor what you can do to reach your targets for A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Source: National Diabetes Education Program