Updated December 2005 PREVENT DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE Enjoy a healthy lifestyle and improve your health 1

Updated December

IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE ­What is it? ­Why bother? ­What can be done? 3

Updated December 2005 WHAT IS IT? ­Impaired glucose tolerance is diagnosed when the blood glucose level is not high enough to confirm diabetes but is outside the normal range. Normal blood glucose is usually: 3-8 mmol/L 4

Updated December 2005 WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN? ­Normal ­Fasting under <5.5 ­Impaired Glucose Metabolism ­Fasting ­Following 75g glucose test ­Diabetes ­Fasting over 6.9 ­Following 75g glucose testover 

Updated December 2005 HOW IS BLOOD GLUCOSE CONTROLLED? A hormone called INSULIN is produced by the pancreas and controls the glucose level in your blood. Inadequate or ineffective insulin?  DIABETES OR IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE 6

Updated December 2005 WHY BOTHER? ­ You have a 1 in 3 chance in the next few years of developing diabetes. ­ You have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes and lower limb problems. 7

Updated December 2005 DIABETES ­Nearly 1 million people in Australia have diabetes - half of these people are undiagnosed. ­This number will increase by 50% in the next 15 years. ­Diabetes is the 5th major cause of death and one of the most common disorders treated by GPs. 8

Updated December 2005 RISKS FOR DEVELOPING DIABETES ­Age (over 55 yrs) - over 45 if overwieght, has family history or high blood pressure ­Impaired glucose tolerance ­Ethnicity ­Diabetes in pregnancy ­Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome ­People who have had a heart attack, stroke or have angina. 9

Updated December 2005 WHAT IS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE? The cardiovascular system is a complex system of blood vessels which supply blood to all our organs. When the lining of these blood vessels becomes damaged, they can block up, which stops blood supply to that area. This damages the organ which is not receiving enough blood. This could be your heart or brain. 10

Updated December 2005 RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Fixed Factors (which you can’t change) - Family history - Being male - Being female with diabetes - Over 50 years of age - Previous heart attack, angina or stroke 11

Updated December 2005 WHAT CAN YOU DO? Lifestyle factors (which you can change) - Smoking - Overweight - Lack of exercise - Stress - Excess alcohol - Unhealthy eating habits 12

Updated December 2005 HOW CAN YOUR DOCTOR HELP? Medical risk factors (which you and your Doctor can change) - High blood glucose levels - High cholesterol - High blood pressure 13

Updated December 2005 HIGH CHOLESTEROL - WHY WORRY? High cholesterol can block blood vessels, which can lead to strokes and heart attacks. It can also reduce the blood flowing to your legs and feet. WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN? 14

Updated December 2005 NUMBERS TO AIM FOR Total cholesterolunder 4.0 mmol/L Triglyceridesunder 2.0 mmol/L HDL (“good” cholesterol)over 1.0 mmol/L LDL (“bad” cholesterol)under 2.5 mmol/L 15 RACGP 2005/6

Updated December 2005 HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE - WHY WORRY? High blood pressure increases your risk of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease. WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN? 16

Updated December 2005 NUMBERS TO AIM FOR 17 Everyone- under 140/90 + Diabetes- under 130/80* Diabetes & kidney problems- under 120/75* + National Heart Foundation 2004 * RACGP 2005/6

Updated December 2005 WHAT CAN YOU DO ? - STOP smoking - Exercise as much as you can - Eat a healthy diet - Lose some weight if you need to - Drink alcohol in moderation - See your GP for regular check-ups 18

Updated December 2005 WHY EXERCISE? Exercise helps to: - lower blood pressure - lower cholesterol - improve blood flow - lower blood glucose - relieve stress REGULAR EXERCISE CAN HALVE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING DIABETES Healthy lifestyle 19

Updated December 2005 EXERCISE TIPS ­Have a medical check-up before commencing a new exercise routine ­Choose an activity that suits YOU ­Start slowly and gradually increase ­Try to exercise daily - walking is a cheap and convenient form of exercise 20

Updated December 2005 WHY EAT HEALTHY FOODS? Healthy eating helps to reduce: - blood pressure - cholesterol - blood glucose - weight 21

Updated December 2005 SEE YOUR DOCTOR REGULARLY FOR TESTS 22 In some cases medication may be needed.