The longer you have had diabetes, the higher the chances that you will develop heart disease ¹. People with diabetes are 4 times more likely to develop heart disease ². Please speak to your doctor and diabetes educator to learn how you can protect your heart.

You should see a heart specialist or cardiologist as soon as possible to get your heart checked. There are many hospitals, public and private, that offer such tests.

If you have heart disease ¹, doctors would usually prescribe medication to prevent further complications in your heart. Besides that, it is also important to maintain a balanced diet and be physically active to keep your heart healthy. With all the efforts combined, it should make a difference ¹.

Any form of physical activity is good for your body, especially if you have diabetes. You could walk, jog, or do some weight training. If you are able to take on more challenging workouts, you could even try high intensity interval training (HIIT) – but check with your doctor or diabetes educator before doing so ¹.

There are several NGOs that offer support and education on diabetes and heart management. You may visit their website to find out more.

Speak to your doctor and diabetes educator to understand your condition and how you can manage it. While learning about how to manage your diet and lifestyle, you should also find out about your risk for any complications and how you can prevent them.

If you have diabetes, it means you will need to be more mindful about blood glucose levels through healthy eating and an active lifestyle ⁴.

Depending on your condition and the lifestyle that you had before, the changes could be minimal or drastic. Ask your doctor and diabetes educator about how you can manage your condition better.

This will depend on your condition and the doctor’s discretion. Some patients need to do so once a month while others only do once every 3 or 6 months. Speak to your doctor and diabetes educator to find out how often you should go back for follow-ups.

If it is high in sugar, carbohydrates, or saturated fat, then it is advisable to avoid them as they can spike up your blood glucose level.⁴ But it is understandable that sometimes you just want a small treat. So ask your doctor and diabetes educator about it.

Yes, you have a higher chance of developing diabetes at a younger age ⁵. It is very important to lead a healthy and active lifestyle in order to maintain your health. You should also attend regular checkups – at least once a year. Speak to your doctor to find out what you can do to prevent it.