by the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative

For many of us when we think about February we think about Valentine’s day, and visions of red paper hearts and roses jump into our heads. Did you also know that February is Heart Health month? So in addition to thinking about our special someone, we should also take the time to think about our heart health.

Those living with diabetes are at higher risk for developing heart disease. The higher a person’s blood sugar, the higher his or her risk is of developing heart disease. Diabetes and poorly controlled blood sugars increase the risk of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), coronary artery disease and stroke. It can also result in circulation problems caused by damage to the blood vessels. While that all sounds like gloom and doom and doesn’t put you in the mood for valentines.. there is good news! There are steps you can take to reduce your risk and keep your heart healthy!

  • Follow a healthy diet- a healthy diet is low in fat- especially saturated and trans fats, and salt. Aim to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables and whole grains and high fibre foods. Small changes in your diet can help to lower high blood fats, improve your blood sugars, and help you to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Active Living- if you have been inactive for a while, you need to gradually increase your activity level and before doing so, speak to your healthcare provider before starting a fitness program. Once you ha ...
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