National Diabetes Prevention Program Blog

February 2021

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Take control of your health to prevent diabetes and heart disease

One person dies every 36 seconds in the U.S. from heart disease. It is the leading cause of death. That is why it is so important to stay healthy and prevent other health problems. The risk for heart disease is doubled in a person with diabetes.

The good news is that there are ways to help reduce your chances of developing heart disease and diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, you can prevent diabetes. Our trained lifestyle coaches will help you make small changes. Over time those small changes will improve your health and reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes and heart disease prevention

A healthy diet and physical activity are important to reduce your risk. It may sound difficult, but small changes that you make to your daily routine really add up.

How does diabetes increase your chance for heart disease? Diabetes increases blood sugars, which can damage blood vessels and nerves. This can damage the heart as well. Small changes, such as eating more fruits and veggies or taking a brisk 15-minute walk, can make a big difference!

How do I get started?

Make simple changes to your diet. Eat lots of veggies and fresh fruits to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. The CDC recommends adults eat at least 1½ to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of veggies per day. Limiting the amount of salt in your diet can decrease the risk of developing high blood pressure. Reducing the amount of added sugar you consume will help lower your blood sugar.

Physical activity is also important for good health. It is vital in preventing diabetes. Aim for 150 minutes per week. You can break that up into 30 minutes a day for 5 days. Make exercise fun by including friends and family to help keep one another motivated. If you can maintain a healthy weight, it lowers your risk for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. You should continue to manage any other health conditions by going to your doctor’s appointments and discussing your options. Have them monitor your blood pressure, blood sugars, and cholesterol levels and track your progress.

You are not alone. We can help.

You don’t have to do this alone; we’re here to help. The National Diabetes Prevention Program, run by SinfoníaRx in partnership with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation, offers a lifestyle change program to help you prevent type 2 diabetes. The program also promotes healthy living. Our highly trained lifestyle coaches offer valuable advice and resources to make healthy changes and maintain those new habits. We provide support, resources, and encouragement to make those lifestyle changes stick. This is a virtual program and all at no cost to participants. So, don’t wait any longer. Take control of your health today! Learn more about this virtual program and enroll today!

Visit sinfoniarx.com/preventdiabetes for information on the diabetes prevention program.

You can also contact us at 1-844-326-3043 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., MST, Monday through Friday or email us at preventdiabetes@trhc.com. The National Diabetes Prevention Program is offered by Tabula Rasa HealthCare and the APhA Foundation and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

*Please do not send personal health information to preventdiabetes@trhc.com. We take your confidentiality seriously.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/aha-diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations