People with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes are more likely to have high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. They are also likely to be overweight or obese. All of these factors increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other serious health complications.
If you have prediabetes or diabetes, it's crucial to monitor blood cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight. Maybe you aren't experiencing any symptoms. Why is monitoring these numbers still important? Keep in mind that there are no clear symptoms for people with prediabetes, and diabetes may be severe before there are any warning signs. Likewise, people have no way of knowing they have high cholesterol or high blood pressure without being tested.
How Your Numbers Are Monitored By drawing blood, your health care professional can conduct a lipid profile to check your blood cholesterol and glucose tests to check your blood sugar. Your blood pressure and weight are even easier to check with a blood pressure monitor and scale.
Between health care visits, you can monitor and track your blood sugar, blood pressure and weight. Easy-to-use home glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors and scales are available at retailers, pharmacies and online. By keeping track of your numbers in between health care visits, you will be better able to manage your health.
Target Numbers for People with Diabetes It is recommended that people with diabetes keep these health numbers within the following ranges:
Get more information about high blood pressure. Get more information about cholesterol. Get more information about weight management.
If your numbers are not at the target level, work with your health care team to develop a plan to reach these goals.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. Last Reviewed: May 6, 2021