Diabetes and Your Heart:
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CHAPTERS

Everyday Choices

Monitoring

Learn the importance of monitoring and keeping your glucose levels in your target range.
Elderly woman checking her glucose levels

It is normal for your glucose levels to go up and down during the day. Your diabetes care team will help you know what target range is right for you. Talk about your results with your health care team at each visit to make sure you stay in your target range as much as possible.

Things that make blood glucose go up or down:​

  • Amount and types of food you eat
  • When you eat
  • Physical activity
  • Stress
  • Medicine
  • Illness
  • Alcohol

Staying within the glucose range may help you with:

  • More energy
  • Feeling less thirsty
  • Fewer trips to the bathroom
  • Faster wound healing, and fewer infections
  • Clearer thinking

Avoiding levels that are too high or too low can lower your risk for long-term problems such as:

  • Eye problems that can lead to blindness
  • Ear problems such as hearing loss
  • Nerve damage that leads to pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands and feet
  • Damage to your kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure and dialysis
  • Problems with your teeth and gums

Checking Your Glucose

There are three main ways to check your glucose. Follow the specific instructions for the device that you use. Know when to report any issues you are having, since you may need to call your provider instead of waiting until your next visit.

Elderly man checking his glucose levels
  • A test strip is inserted into a glucose meter.
  • Blood is added to the strip, and your blood glucose level is shown as a number on the screen.
  • You wear a sensor on the back of your upper arm.
  • When you want a glucose reading, you hold up your receiver or smart phone next to the device.
  • The glucose level is shown on the receiver or your phone app.
  • You wear a sensor on your body.
  •  The sensor measures your glucose level every few minutes and tracks it over time.
  • Your glucose level is sent to your smartphone, a separate receiver, or to an insulin pump if you wear one.
  • Your glucose levels can also be sent to your diabetes care team to review.

Know your Numbers

To lower your risk for heart attack, stroke, or diabetes. complications, talk to your health care provider for specific targets for you.

Glucose Levels

Low glucose, also called hypoglycemia, is a reading of 70 mg/dL or lower. It is serious and you need to take quick action. Symptoms include:
  • Feeling shaky
  • Feeling nervous or anxious
  • Sweating
  • Confusion
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Hunger
  • Blurry or impaired vision
  • Headaches
  • Weakness, or feeling tired

If your glucose is low, follow the Rule of 15:

1

Take 15 grams of fast-acting glucose/carbohydrate

2

Wait 15 minutes and re-check

3

If glucose is less than 70, repeat steps 1 and 2

4

When glucose is 80 or above, eat a meal or snack

Here are some examples of 15 grams of carbohydrate:

  • 4 glucose tablets
  • Glucose gel tube
  • ½ cup (4 ounces) of juice or regular soda (not diet)
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey
  • Hard candy, jellybeans, or gumdrops—check the food label for how many to eat

If you have 2 to 3 episodes of low blood glucose in 2 weeks, or if there is a pattern of when the low glucose happens most, talk with your health care team. They can suggest ways to avoid low glucose in the future.

Work with your health care team to find out what you should do if your glucose is higher than your target range, also called hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a progressive disease, so if your glucose is regularly higher than your targets, you may need a different treatment plan.

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