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Diabetes And Heart Disease: A Deadly Partnership
Campaign targets baby-boomers to reverse the trend
Toronto, ON (Nov. 3, 2008) – This November, the Canadian Diabetes Association wants you to know that small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. The fact is, today only one in five people living with diabetes will survive heart disease. It is essential that Canadians living with and at risk of diabetes improve their chances of survival by making healthy lifestyle choices everyday.
Currently 2.4 million Canadians are affected by diabetes. By 2010 that number will rise to more than 3 million. In addition, more than 6 million Canadians are living with prediabetes, which increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Many people have undiagnosed diabetes for years but don’t know it. Studies have shown that, on average, people have type 2 diabetes for up to 7 years before diagnosis. During this time, high blood glucose levels can cause serious complications, including heart disease.
“Most Canadians aren’t aware that heart disease is a serious complication of diabetes,” said Ellen Malcolmson, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. “The good news is that we can all do better. In fact, Canadians can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by over 50 per cent by getting active, losing weight and eating right.”
Whether you are someone living with diabetes, or one of the millions of Canadians age 40 and over and at risk, visit getserious.ca to learn how you can reverse the trend. The site includes a questionnaire that will tell you your current cardiovascular age and level of risk, and offers prevention and management tips.
We can all do better. This November, learn how you can reverse the trend at getserious.ca.
The Canadian Diabetes Association works in communities across the country to promote the health of Canadians and eliminate diabetes through our strong nationwide network of volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals, researchers, partners and supporters. In the struggle against this global epidemic, our expertise is recognized around the world. The Canadian Diabetes Association: setting the world standard. To learn more, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
The Canadian Diabetes Association would like to thank Novo Nordisk Canada, Pfizer Canada, and sanofi-aventis for their generous support of the 2008 November campaign.
For more information, please contact:
Manager, National Media Relations
Canadian Diabetes Association
416-408-7071