Diabetes and Your Heart:
Close Connections

CHAPTERS

Self-care and Support

Life can be stressful. Having diabetes may add to your stress. Learn how to take care of yourself amid your diagnosis.
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Taking Care of Yourself

Life can be stressful. Having diabetes may add to your stress.

Taking care of yourself, using your strengths, and learning new ways to deal with stress are all important ways to stay healthy.

Here are some healthy ways to cope with stress. You may want to try something new.

  • Positive thinking. Focus on what you CAN do, not on what you can’t do.
  • Talk about how you are feeling. Let others know what you need.
  • Meditate
  • Read
  • Listen to music
  • Write in a journal
  • Stay active
  • Take a walk on your own, with a pet, or a family member or friend
  • Spend time with family and friends
  • Get a massage
  • Practice Yoga
  • Practice Tai Chi
  • Volunteer to help others
  • Spend time outdoors
  • Learn something new

It is OK to ask for help. You can:

  • Let your family and friends know how you are feeling, and how they can help
  • Check with your health care team to see if there is a support group you can join
  • Talk to a therapist or mental health provider for more support

Working with Your Health Care Team

Your diabetes care team helps you manage your diabetes.

Primary Care Provider

A doctor, NP (nurse practitioner), or PA (physician associate or physician assistant). Sees you for general checkups, and when you get sick. They can refer you to specialists, and coordinate your care.

Care provider and patient

Specialists

A doctor who specializes in treating diabetes and diseases of the endocrine system.

A doctor with a special focus on diabetes

Foot doctor

Eye doctor

Kidney doctor

A nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or other member of the health care team with special training on caring for and teaching people with diabetes. They will help you develop a personalize plan with SMART goals, lower your risk for heart disease and stroke, and help you learn day-to-day management:
  • How to use diabetes medicines
  • How to balance activity and eating with your medicines and insulin
  • What to do when you are sick

Trained in nutrition. May also be a CDCES if they have a special interest in diabetes. Will help you learn how the foods you eat affect your blood glucose and blood fat levels. Helps you balance your food, medicine, and activity.

Your diabetes care team may also include community health workers (CHW), pharmacists, and other health care professionals. Each will support you and other patients in staying as healthy as possible.

Teamwork

Managing your diabetes takes a team, and you are the captain.

  • Work together with your health care team to make decisions about your treatment and care. This will help you feel your best.
  • Widen your base of support. It can be a big help to have someone go with you to your appointments. They can help you remember what was discussed, and what actions you will take after you leave the office.
  • Ask questions when you don’t understand something. Be honest. If it isn’t true, don’t tell your health care team what you think they want to hear. Your team won’t judge. Their only goal is to help you.
The steps you take now to manage your diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides will help protect your kidneys and lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
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Diabetes and Your Heart: Close Connections

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