Heart disease increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes
and is still one of the major causes of death in the United
States. Scientists have long known that damage to the heart and
blood vessels can be caused by too much glucose in the blood.
This makes heart disease an even greater concern for people with
diabetes, who must take steps daily to manage their blood
glucose levels. Having diabetes is a major risk factor for heart
disease. People who have diabetes are two to four times more
likely to suffer from its consequences. However, the story of
heart disease and diabetes is not all bleak. There are
medication-free, lifestyle-related approaches that can help
reduce the risk, slow its progression, and help avoid
aftereffects. Indeed, modification of lifestyle habits is not
only at the heart of public health approaches for reducing heart
disease risk, but it can also help to reduce the impact of
diabetes. “Lifestyle factors” are things that are in your
control and things that you have the power to do som