Diabetes plays such a role in heart disease that it is considered not only a risk factor but a coronary artery disease equivalent. Women who experience gestational diabetes have increased heart risk throughout their adult life. There a multiple presentations and forms of diabetes but broadly can be considered type 1 and type 2.

Fewer people have Type 1 Diabetes compared with Type 2 Diabetes, however in general Type 1 can present at much younger ages. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 20 (also called “Juvenile diabetes” I was insulted to be diagnosed when I was no longer a juvenile – only to learn that the ‘juvenile’ terminology was no longer accurate, and yes, I did have T1D).

Recommendations for heart health and using lifestyle to reduce risk for heart disease applies if you have diabetes – and is even more important.

Heart Health and Type 1 Diabetes is a post for the organization Beyond Type 1 that outlines heart health and Type 1 Diabetes. Heart Health Docs followers will recognize a lot of the content and emphasis on heart healthy choices including the American Heart Association Life’s Simple 7

Take a few minutes this Labor Day weekend to check out The Beyond Type 1 website  ~ an excellent source of information covering nutrition, health, and stress management for anyone looking to improve their health, and is a great place to learn about type 1 diabetes specifically.