If you have diabetes, you are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop heart failure than someone without diabetes.  Teach your diabetic patients how taking good care of themselves and keeping control of their blood sugar can prevent or reduce this risk. This tear sheet:

• makes the connection between diabetes and heart failure
• lists the special risk factors for diabetes
• warns about the risks of smoking
• provides tips for:
  • maintaining a healthy diet
  • getting to and keeping a healthy weight
  • controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol