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Although American Indian and Alaska Native cultures have diversity
in traditions, heritage, history and art, they also have one thing in
common - being at high risk for diabetes. Diabetes is disproportionately affecting American
Indians and Alaska Natives - 15 percent of adults aged 20 years or older have diabetes. Taking
into account population age differences, American Indians and Alaska Natives are twice as likely
to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.
Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in all American Indian populations, and
cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives -
two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Also, adults with diabetes
are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke and have the same
cardiovascular risk as someone who has already had a heart attack.
There Is Good News.
Keeping blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol within your target range can help delay
or prevent heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. If you have diabetes, you need to
learn to control the ABCs of diabetes. Research shows that the key to reducing the risk of heart
attack and stroke in people with diabetes is to control the ABCs - as measured by the
A1c
test,
Blood pressure, and Cholesterol - three of the major risk factors for heart disease:
- A is for the A1C test. It measures your average blood glucose level over the past three
months.
- B is for blood pressure. High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard.
- C is for cholesterol. Bad cholesterol, or LDL, builds up and clogs your arteries.
Ask your health care team what your ABC numbers are, what they should be, and how you can
work with your health care team to reach your target levels. For most people with diabetes, the
target levels are A1C below 7, blood pressure below 130/80, and LDL cholesterol below 100.
Have your A1C level checked at least twice a year. Have your blood pressure checked at each
visit and your cholesterol checked at least once a year.
You Can Take Action.
“Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are threatening our American Indian and Alaska Native
communities, but we can fight back,” says Kelly Moore, chair of the National Diabetes
Education Program’s American Indian and Alaska Native Work Group, the 2006 Association of
American Indian Physicians’ Physician of the Year, and member of the Creek Nation of
Oklahoma. “The good news is that we can protect ourselves and future generations by managing
our diabetes and preventing heart attacks and strokes.”
Share the good news with your community - for you, your family, and future generations. Work
with your health care team to use these tips to help you stay healthy:
- Reach and stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for heart
attack and stroke.
- Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Brisk walking is a
great way to move more.
- Eat foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added
sugars. Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, and fat-free or low-fat milk.
- Eat more fiber. Choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dry peas and beans.
- Stop smoking. Smoking is one of the major risk factors associated with heart attack and
stroke. Ask your health care team for help.
- Take your medications as directed. Ask your doctor about taking daily aspirin.
- Ask your family and friends to help you manage your diabetes. A little support goes a
long way.
For free information on diabetes for American Indians and Alaska Natives, contact the National
Diabetes Education Program at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or call 1-888-693-NDEP. Learn
more through NDEP’s Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes tip sheet (adapted for
American Indians and Alaska Natives), 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. brochure,
and many other Control Your Diabetes. For Life. campaign materials.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is
jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) with the support of more than 200 partner organizations.
From the National Diabetes Education Program
Undated webpage
http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/AIANFeatureArticle.pdf
[PDF file]
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