Heart attacks are the leading cause of death throughout the world, and a huge concern if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Many people choose to manage this risk with medications, putting lifestyle changes secondary… or not including them at all. Unfortunately, medication will only get you so far, and though it may manage your condition, it will not improve your health. If you want something more out of your life and body than just merely getting by, its time to learn how to heart attack proof your life.

Getting Moving: Did you know that exercise could save your life? Research shows that 30 minutes of physical activity a few days a week can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, and reduce your risk of heart attack. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a gym membership, complete with personal trainer. Physical activity can be as simple as walking your dog, a brisk stroll around the mall in the morning before the stores open, or doing some leg lifts while you sit in front of the television. Exercise doesn’t need to be complicated or costly, so get up and get moving.

Eat Your Heart Out… Sensibly: Nutrition is one of your strongest weapons in the war against heart disease. By eating healthy you can single-handedly control many factors that increase heart attack risks such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and weight. Your heart is the most important muscle in your body, so next time you are ready to prepare a meal consider your heart. An eating plan that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meat, and low fat dairy foods will make a difference in how you live out the rest of your life.

Take a Deep Breath: Stress is everywhere in the form of crazy drivers, screaming kids, work, family problems and more. No one can fully escape stress but you do have some control over how you deal with it. Next time you feel yourself losing it… stop… close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Letting stress take over is terrible for your body and your heart. Here are some easy stress relief ideas:

• ask your partner for a foot rub… then sit back, close your eyes and enjoy
• draw a bath and pour in some relaxing bath salts… refuse to think about stress
• read a book on a topic you enjoy
• indulge in some retail therapy
• most importantly… take 30 minutes for yourself every day

Leave That Cloud of Smoke Behind: You know it is bad for you, but smoking can be almost impossible to quit. The truth is, most people can’t quite smoking without help. Today there are many more options for people wanting to quit smoking. Visit your health care provider if you are sincere about kicking the habit; he will have several options and resources available. Smoking may be pleasurable, but it is a slow death over time. Do your heart a favor and leave that cloud of smoke behind.

Always take the medications your doctor prescribes for you, just don’t let medications give you a false sense of security or an excuse not to eat or live well. Instead of making a healthy lifestyle secondary to medication, make it your No.1 priority. Only you have the power to stop type 2 diabetes and heart disease from taking over your life!

Approximately 95 percent of those with diabetes have type 2 which is a condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose). Nearly 17 million Americans have it and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Previously associated with people in middle age or older, type 2 is on the increase in children due to the dramatic increase in obesity. It has been estimated that about a third of all children being born today will eventually get diabetes. With these facts in mind, everyone should be aware of the type 2 diabetes risk factors.

Obesity: Being overweight is the number one type 2 diabetes risk factor. the number of people with diabetes who are at some level of obesity is double that found in the population without the disease. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is the standard for determining body weight relative to health for most patients in the age group of 20 to 65 (excluding the highly conditioned such as athletes, or women who are nursing or pregnant.) A Body Mass Index in excess of 27 signals a risk for type 2 diabetes, and other complications such as heart disease, and early death.

Apple-shaped figure: Having an excess of fat above the hips usually means a greater risk factor for type 2 diabetes than for those who have a pear-shaped figure (excess of fat in the thighs and hips). Men with a waist size larger than 39.5 in. (100 cm), and women, 37.5 in. (95 cm) are at increased risk.

Age: This type 2 diabetes risk factor increases with age. Those over 45 are at a greater risk than their younger counterparts and those over 65 are three times as high as people in the 35 to 64 age group.

Sedentary lifestyle: Exercising regularly and keeping your weight under control reduces your chances for getting type 2 diabetes. Those who have the disease should see an improvement in blood sugar levels as well.

Family History: If you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes you are at increased risk.

History of Diabetes in Pregnancy: Nearly 4 out of every 10 women who have diabetes during pregnancy eventually develop type 2. Usually within the decade following birth.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance: Also referred to as impaired fasting glucose is a type 2 diabetes risk factor that can occur prior to the onset of type 2. While those affected are not considered to have diabetes, their blood sugar is considered to be abnormal placing them at higher risk for heart disease as well as type 2.

Ethnic Ancestry: Those of African, Aboriginal, Asian or Latin American ancestry are at greater risk of having type 2 diabetes.

High Blood Pressure: This risk factor for type 2 diabetes is present in up to to 60 percent of people with undiagnosed diabetes.

High Cholesterol: Among those with diabetes more than 40 percent have abnormally high cholesterol levels.

If you are overweight and have one or more of the other type 2 diabetes risk factors listed above, you should be tested for diabetes now. If you do have it, early diagnosis is critical for minimizing and preventing the serious complications of the disease.