Beware of the three highs

DIABETES is a progressive disease that is associated with a long list of complications, including cardiovascular disease, eye damage and foot damage.

The longer a patient has had diabetes, the higher his risk of complications.

The condition worsens when his blood glucose level is not controlled.

The normal fasting blood glucose level ranges between 3.9mmol/L and 5.6mmol/L, but it is not practical for a diabetes patient to keep a normal blood glucose level all the time.

Hence, blood glucose targets for a diabetes patient should be individualised and patients should discuss monitoring strategies with their healthcare providers.

Diabetes patients, especially those prescribed with insulin therapy, are encouraged to selfmonitor blood glucose levels. Patients can discuss the readings with their healthcare providers to achieve better control of blood glucose levels.

Long-term elevated blood glucose levels harden and narrow the arteries. This can cause high blood pressure, which is a common comorbidity of diabetes.

According to National Diabetes Registry 2009-2012, about 70.1% of patients have high blood pressure.

Left untreated, high blood pressure can eventually lead to stroke, heart disease or kidney failure.

Self-monitoring blood glucose levels is important for diabetes patients to assess their day-to-day well-being.