What are the recommendations for HbA1c goals for patients with diabetes mellitus?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) recommend a HbA1c goal of <7% as a general goal for patients with diabetes mellitus. For some patients, individualized glycemic targets other than the general goal may be appropriate such as targeting closer to normal for microvascular outcomes. Less stringent HbA1c goals (eg, <8%) may also be reasonable for patients with a history of severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, advanced microvascular or macrovascular complications, and extensive comorbid conditions and those with long-standing diabetes mellitus in whom the general goal is difficult to attain.