Guidelines released earlier this month by the Canadian Diabetes Association include a recommendation for use of the A1C blood test. This test provides a single, practical measure of average blood glucose with no need for 12-hour fasting.
As well, diabetes will now be diagnosed at different blood glucose levels. Those with an A1C level of 6.5 per cent or greater will be diagnosed with diabetes, while those with an A1C level of 6.0-6.4 per cent will be diagnosed with prediabetes.
Screening for type 2 diabetes is recommended every 3 years for all Canadians over 40, or earlier and more frequently for those with risk factors.
For Canadians already diagnosed with diabetes, the guidelines encourage knowledge of the heart health ABCDEs:
- A – A1C in optimal range
- B – Blood pressure optimally controlled
- C – Cholesterol in target range
- D – Drugs – heart-protecting medications for the right patients
- E – Exercise and other lifestyle measures
- S – Stop smoking
New interactive tools for assessment and management of diabetes are available at http://guidelines.diabetes.ca, along with the full text of the new guidelines.
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