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Protect your heart with our cardiovascular risk self-assessment tool


If you are living with diabetes, it is important that you understand your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is currently the number one cause of death for Canadians living with diabetes, and this tool can help you identify your level of risk. 



Risk factors for stroke and heart attack include:

  • Having diabetes for more than 15 years
  • Problems with circulation
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Family history of heart attack or stroke



This new patient tool asks a series of questions concerning these risk factors. Your answers will help healthcare professionals assess your personal risk for cardiovascular disease. So, print a copy, fill it out, and bring it with you to your next doctor’s appointment. It’s a great starting point for discussing possible treatment options, including medications and lifestyle modification, to help improve your risk management for cardiovascular disease. 

Be sure to ask your doctor about ways to reduce your risk:

  • Better management of glucose control (A1C blood test of 7% or lower)
  • Better management of blood pressure (lower than 130/80 mmHg)
  • Quitting smoking
  • Regular physical activity
  • Better management of cholesterol (LDL of 2.0 mmol/L or lower, TC/HDL ratio lower than 4.0)
  • Healthy diet

Related Resources:

Do you have diabetes? Here is a Cardiovascular Self-Assessment Tool to help identify your level of risk.

2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines - read chapter-by-chapter online or order a copy today!

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes – a quick reference of selected key points on prevention and management of diabetes from the Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Prepare for your diabetes-focused visit

News Release: 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines

Diabetes Dialogue - manage your health and subscribe today!