Diabetes At the Movies

A recent trip to the Central Park Conservatory‘s Film Festival, presented by National Geographic, triggered our interest in how diabetes is portrayed on the big screen. From Steel Magnolias to Soul Food, how realistic are these depictions?

This year’s festival features an array of documentaries. I admit, many of which I probably would never see. But they were free, and the knoll where they’re showing the movies is located close to my office. I grabbed my blanket and decided to go. I’m glad I did. Not only were the topics fascinating, but also the different storytelling styles.

Although documentaries contain primary sources, I became aware that filmmakers select, frame, and interpret their subjects to suit their purposes. Regarding topics like climate change, viewers either buy into it as a whole or shake their heads in disgust at the fearful images and righteous pleas being shown.

Since it was announced that Jamie Fox and Colin Firth are producing the first-ever documentary on my boss, Luther Vandross, with The Ladybird Diaries director Dawn Porter,

I’ve become hyper-sensitive to the ethics of retelling life stories on the big screen. Do the directors stray from facts or choose to cherry-pick moments and memories to build suspense and create drama? And if they get the story wrong by omitting information, does anyone care besides those closest to their subjects? Basically, can you trust them?

One topic filmmakers tend to get wrong in their depictions on the big screen is diabetes. With all the emotional and physical complications related to the day-to-day up’s and down’s of self-care comes drama, making characters with the condition a good plot point on the silver screen. Popular films featuring diabetes include Steel Magnolias, Soul Food, Mad Money, The Baby-Sitter Club, and Nothing In Common. We explore how realistic these portrayals are and how accurate is information about diabetes and diabetes self-care on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark, and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder Marc Washington. This podcast features music from the album ‘Score’ by 2Cellos courtesy of SONY Music.

Tuesday night’s documentary, The Space Race, directed by Lisa Cortés and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, tells the story of Black Astronauts. The film follows pioneers who fought to overcome not just the obstacles of their NASA astronaut training but also the challenges that stemmed from the racial prejudice, injustices, and discrimination present at the time. Lisa’s amazing ability to infuse music into telling her stories was evident throughout the film. She has a unique knack for finding the right song and placing it at the right time to heighten interest and excitement in the subject matter.

Wednesday night’s film, Arctic Ascent, captures Alex Honnold and his two expert climber friends’ attempt to climb Greenland’s Ingmikortilaqf while scientists collect data on the melting glaciers and the impact of climate change.

Thursday night’s film, Wild Life, directed by the team behind the Oscar-winning Free Solo, Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. This film follows billionaire conservationists Kris and Doug Tompkins’ obsession with creating National Parks throughout Chile and Argentina—the highs and lows of their journey to effect the largest private land donation in history.

The hype surrounding one of the biggest Summer Blockbusters of all time, Barbie, inspires us to examine the doll’s impact on our lives, including our sex lives. After all, if Barbie and Ken are confused about what to do at sleepovers, you might be too, especially if you’re dealing with sexual health issues related to diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries—people with diabetes experience sexual dysfunction more often than the general public.

Podcast guests: Dr. Janis Roszler PhD, LMFT, RDN, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Donna Rice, MBA, BSN, RN, CDCES, FADCES, the co-authors of Divabetic’s new e-book, Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, soon-to-be available on Amazon. Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, is your key to a happy, healthy intimate life with diabetes.

01/08/2023

Chaka Khan: Woman Like Me (Living With Diabetes)

The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure in 2011.

Experts say over time, diabetes damages the small blood vessels in your body, causing the walls of the blood vessels to stiffen. This increases pressure, which leads to high blood pressure.

Chaka Khan decided to give up on meat and dairy after her diagnosis.

“I went on a radical change in lifestyle,” she says. “I was on liquids for a year, and that gave me a good jump-start.”

Her new meal plan helped her drop 60 pounds and stop using her oral medications to manage her diabetes.

Last year marked Chaka Khan’s fiftieth year in the music industry. “I ran away from home and quit school. I knew what I wanted to do,” she told Jennifer Hudson on Jennifer Hudson’s talk show.

A lot of people know about Chaka Khan’s life of excess. Many speculate that her strange behavior on Versuz with Stephanie Mills was caused by substance abuse. However, the star vehemently denies the allegations even though the superstar almost died mixing sleeping pills and cocaine once and suffered from alcohol addiction, which she eventually recovered.

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily raises blood pressure. Repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases in blood pressure.

Her latest song, Woman Like Me, hints at an earlier classic, I’m Every Woman, which she made famous but with a sharper edge. It’s her first single on Sono Recording Group SRG-ILS Group. It was produced by Gregg Pagani, who also co-wrote it with Francesca Richard and Jeffrey Anderson.

“My song, Woman Like Me, addresses the women of today. And a lot of the tribulations women are going through,” she told Jennifer Hudson. “Much of it is based on insecurities and looking outside yourself for gold when you are the gold.”

Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman was her debut solo single from her first album, Chaka (1978). It was Khan’s first hit outside her recordings with the funk band Rufus. “I’m Every Woman” was produced by Arif Mardin and written by the successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, is inspiring Divabetic’s podcast. Mr. Divabetic interviews Chaka Khan’s former bandmember and producer, Ivan Hampden Jr., Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Pam Butler MS, CDE, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDCES, CDN, Holly Clegg, the author of six cookbooks including Kitchen 101, Mama Rose Marie and real-life diva, Ginger Vieira, who is the author of Your Diabetes Science Experiment and record-setting competitive powerlifter living with type 1 diabetes.

11/29/202111/30/2021

Was Chaka Khan Experiencing Low Blood Sugars At Verzuz?

From slurring words or forgetting lyrics to her famous side-to-side, stutter-step shimmy, Chaka Khan‘s performance at the recent Verzuz “competition” with Stephanie Mills has many speculating that she was either drunk or high.

But could she have been experiencing low blood sugars?

Some symptoms of low blood sugar can look the same as being drunk. The most common ones are feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or confused; and getting sleepy. However, others may think your signs of low blood sugar are due to drinking. As a result, they may not realize you need help.

The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2011. She credits her vegan diet for helping her lose a significant amount of weight after her diagnosis.

“I felt like I needed to heal my body, so I would just fast and eat no meat, no dairy,” she said. “I’ve never been a fan of meat, dairy, and sugar. And when I developed diabetes I said, ‘Oh OK, I’m not going to be here long. A change is coming,’” Chaka Khan told the lifestyle website Essence.com.

Assuming Chaka Khan experienced low blood sugar levels on stage with Stephanie Mills, let’s review some suggestions for treating it.

First, eat or drink 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, then check your blood sugars and retreat if necessary.

The best options are sugary foods without protein or fat. Chocolate contains fat which slows down the absorption of sugar, so it’s not the best option. Instead, you need food or drinks that easily convert to sugar in the body. Try glucose tablets or gel (sold in your pharmacy), fruit juice, regular — not diet — soft drinks, honey, and sugary candy. Keep in mind, 15 grams of carbohydrates is far less than a whole can of soda or a tall glass of juice. The amount is significant because if you overtreat a low blood sugar by eating or drinking too much, you risk experiencing high blood sugar levels.

Finally, you should know that alcohol makes your blood sugar levels drop by inhibiting the liver’s ability to release glucose.

Ivan Hampden, Jr., Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Pam Butler MS, CDCES, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDCES, CDN, Cookbook Author and Culinary Expert Holly Clegg and Ginger Vieira on this episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast.

08/15/2020

Chef Robert’s Mediterranean Chicken with Love Recipe

Chef Robert Lewis, aka “The Happy Diabetic” shared his experience living with Type 2 diabetes, connecting with audiences through food, and how you can begin making healthy meals at home with the Divabetic community on Divabetic’s recent free Zoom Cooking Party.

Chef Robert Lewis, The Happy Diabetic, is a nationally recognized author and motivational speaker who is passionate about helping people learn to live a healthier lifestyle. Chef Lewis graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in 1976. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1998. Thus began his motivation to create great tasting dishes that are easy to prepare. He travels the country speaking on the benefits of healthy eating not only for people affected by diabetes, but also for anyone who would like to eat and live a healthy lifestyle.

Chef Robert’s Mediterranean Chicken of Love Recipe

Ingredients

1 T extra-virgin olive oil

8 ounce skinless, precooked chicken brest sliced

1 T chopped garlic

Half a red bell pepper sliced, and green bell pepper sliced or 6-7 mini multi colored peppers sliced

½ red onion sliced

5-6 stalks of asparagus

2-3 large white button mushrooms sliced

1/2 cup grape tomatoes or Roma tomato diced

1/4 cup white wine or vegetable broth

1 t dried oregano

1 t dried rosemary

2-4 leafs of fresh basil or 1 t dried basil

10 black pitted olives or kalamata olives

1 can 15 oz. white Italian beans (drained well)

Black pepper, to taste

½ fresh lime

SEE FULL RECIPE

We’re talking about depictions of diabetes on the silver screen including Steel Magnolias, Soul Food and The Baby-Sitter Club on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from 2Cellos. How realistic are these portrayals? How do we feel after viewing them? Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder, Marc Washington.

Throughout this podcast we will be featured music from the album ‘Score’ by 2Cellos courtesy of SONY Music.

07/25/2020

31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts, Day Twenty Five

Divabetic (Divabetic.org) presents a month-long showcase celebrating 10 years of diabetes podcasting. Each of the featured podcasts spotlights our favorite guests, topics, poems, games and/or musical inspiration. Enjoy!

On Day 25, we’re spotlighting Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Whitney Houston from November 2017.

Learn how to become your own ‘Diabetes Bodyguard’ ! Our team of experts share ways to safeguard you and your family from experiencing diabetes health-related complications including

Heart disease and stroke: People with diabetes are two times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke as people without diabetes
Blindness and other eye problems:
- Damage to blood vessels in the retina (diabetic retinopathy)
- Clouding of the lens (cataract)
- Increase in fluid pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
Kidney disease: High blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys and cause chronic kidney disease (CKD) pdf icon[PDF – 1.08 MB]. If not treated, CKD can lead to kidney failure. A person with kidney failure needs regular dialysis (a treatment that filters the blood) or a kidney transplant to survive. About 1 in 3 adults with diabetes has CKD. You won’t know if you have CKD unless your doctor tests you for it.
Nerve damage (neuropathy): One of the most common diabetes complications, nerve damage can cause numbness and pain. Nerve damage most often affects the feet and legs but can also affect your digestion, blood vessels, and heart.
Amputations: Diabetes-related damage to blood vessels and nerves, especially in the feet, can lead to serious, hard-to-treat infections. Amputation can be necessary to stop the spread of infection.
And more:
- Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increased blood sugar, making diabetes harder to manage. Gum disease can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Diabetes increases the risk of depression, and that risk grows as more diabetes-related health problems develop.

Diabetes health-related omplications usually develop over a long time without any symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to make and keep doctor and dentist appointments even if you feel fine. Early treatment can help prevent or delay diabetes-related health conditions and improve your overall health.

Guests include Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Constance Brown Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDE, Mindy Bartleson, T1D, blogger at “There’s More to the Story”, and author, Hairstylist & Salon Owner, Karline Ricketts, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’.

Enjoy an exclusive first listen of “Whitney Houston – I Wish You Love: More From ‘The Bodyguard’” ahead of the album’s release date courtesy of SONY Music. This 25th anniversary of “The Bodyguard” soundtrack album features the hit song, “I’m Every Woman” echoing the recent statistics that 1 in 10 women are now living with diabetes.

Our monthly podcasts are dedicated to Music Lovers living with, at risk and/or affected by diabetes. We aim to be the epicenter of the circle of care, a link between patients and their health care providers, a translator of clinical speak and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with the diabetes and its related complications. Since its inception, Divabetic has presented outreach programs in 15 major U.S. cities, reaching hundreds of thousands of women, their families and health care professionals.

Experience more of our GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS philosophy at divabetic.org

12/22/201912/22/2019

Gout & Diabetes

My three brothers all have gout. I have psorasis and one brother is also living with type 1 diabetes. Is there any connection?

Gout is a type of arthritis that happens when a substance called uric acid builds up in your blood. It causes joint pain, especially in the big toe

Gout and diabetes are two different health problems, but if you have one, you’re more likely to get the other.

People with type 2 diabetes often have high levels of uric acid in their blood, which could be due to extra fat. If you’re overweight, your body creates more insulin. That makes it harder for your kidneys get rid of uric acid, which may lead to gout.

There’s also a link exists between gout and heart problems and the new findings show the need for people to talk to their doctors about added risks.

Two reasons for why gout might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease are increased oxidative stress and inflammation.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Jennifer Lopez

Enjoy expert advice on diabetes health, fabulous fashion and beauty news and real talk about eating disorders related to diabetes.

Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller, Mama Rose Marie, @WeAreDiabetes founder, Asha Brown, Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN & Lorraine Brooks guest on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from #JenniferLopez.

LISTEN NOW

Don’t miss Divabetic’s free Clued Inn: Diabetes & Heart Escape Rooms on Diabetes Alert Day on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 in New York City. Registration opens soon.

LEARN MORE

03/13/2018

Cutting Down High Blood Pressure at the Barbershop

African-American men successfully lowered their high blood pressure to healthy levels when aided by a pharmacist and their local barber, according to a new study from the Smidt Heart Institute.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of premature disability and death among African-American men, who have less physician interaction than African-American women–necessitating community outreach.

“When we provide convenient and rigorous medical care to African-American men by coming to them–in this case having pharmacists deliver that care in barbershops–blood pressure can be controlled and lives can be saved,” said Ronald G. Victor, MD, associate director of the Smidt Heart Institute and the study’s lead author. “High blood pressure disproportionately affects the African-American community, and we must find new ways to reach out so we can prevent strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and early deaths.”

“There is a different level of trust and respect that’s earned when you meet people where they are, instead of in a hospital or clinic,”said C. Adair Blyler, DPharm, CHC, a pharmacist who treated patrons while they were in the barbershops, said the location was key in reducing blood pressure.

READ MORE

We’re talking about different ways to ‘SPICE UP’ your diabetes life with musical inspiration from the “Queen of Salsa”, Celia Cruz. Celia Cruz’s late husband, Pedro Knight, a former lead trumpet player for Cuba’s legendary band La Sonora Matancera, suffered from complications of type 2 diabetes and had a series of strokes before his death. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Best-Selling Cookbook Author (Eating Well Through Cancer Cookbook – Spanish Edition), Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie. TUNE IN

02/20/201802/28/2018

Cuban Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe by Holly Clegg

We’re spotlighting ‘Latinos & Diabetes’ on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from ‘La Reina de la Salsa’, Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

March’s musical inspiration, Celia Cruz did not have diabetes but people of Hispanic and Latino origin are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes and related cardiometabolic abnormalities. The risk varies considerably among specific ethnic groups and other factors, such as the length of time they have been living in the United States, according to two studies and an accompanying commentary being published in the August issue of Diabetes Care®.

“If there are any bright highlights in the picture,”aid Neil Schneiderman, PhD from The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), “they are that Hispanics/Latinos older than 65 years, who have better access to health care, are more likely to be aware of their diabetes, more likely to be receiving treatment, and have better glycemic control than those people under the age of 65 years.”

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg, who will be joining us on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

“Perky flavors are packed in this eye-catching tenderloin,” says Holly. “Serve sliced to see the stuffing.”

Cuban Stuffed Pork Tenderloin from KITCHEN 101 cookbook

Directions:

2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/3 cup chopped parsley

1/3 cup shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup chopped bread and butter pickles

Pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven 350°F. Cover baking pan with foil.
Make a slit down center of each tenderloin, not cutting through (butterfly).
Spread inside of both tenderloins with garlic and mustard. Stuff with parsley, cheese and pickles. Fold sides together securing with twine or threading toothpicks to hold together. Season tenderloin with pepper. Bake 40-45 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 160°F.

Makes 6 servings

Options: Turn leftovers into Cuban quesadillas or sandwiches. In tortilla, layer, pork (shred if possible), Swiss cheese, pickle slices and mustard and heat in skillet.

Nutritional Information: Calories: 232 kcal, Calories from Fat: 33%, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 104mg, Sodium: 264mg, Carbohydrates: 3g, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Total Sugars: 2g, Protein: 34g, Dietary Exchanges: 4 1/2 lean meat

With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy healthy everyday recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® and Eating Well cookbook series, including Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association.

This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancer includes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention

Holly Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.

LISTEN NOW: Mr. Divabetic shines the spotlight on author and chef, Holly Clegg, in this half-hour special edition of Diva Talk Radio. This fun-filled food frenzy will feature expert advice on quick, flavorful and healthy eating from Holly’s latest book, ‘Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age’

TUNE IN: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd,RD,CDE,CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

Vídeo oficial de Celia Cruz de su tema ‘Rie Y Llora’. Haz clic aquí para escuchar a Celia Cruz en Spotify: http://smarturl.it/CCRSpot?IQid=RYL

01/29/201802/20/2018

Cuban Style Chicken Soup (Sopa de Polla) by Holly Clegg

In March, we’re spotlighting ‘Cubans & Diabetes’ with musical inspiration from ‘La Reina de la Salsa’, Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

Our musical inspiration, Celia Cruz did not have diabetes but her late husband, Pedro Knight, who was an accomplished Cuban-American trumpeter who managed the career, had type 2 diabetes.

Mr. Knight’s physical and mental health declined after his wife’s death in 2003 reports the Mercury News. He fainted and required hospitalization after a July 2004 cancer fundraiser in Miami in Cruz’s honor, and doctors described it as a combination of diabetes-induced low blood pressure and emotional breakdown.

Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg, who will be joining us on March’s Diabetes Late Nite, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.

“Cuban chicken soup takes a short cut using Rotisserie chicken,” says Holly. “What’s great about chicken soup is you can adjust the recipe adding whatever you want according to how you feel and what you like!”

Cuban Style Chicken Soup (Sopa de Polla) by Holly Clegg from Alimentándose bien durante el cáncer: Recetas fáciles y recomendaciones durante y después del tratamiento.

Makes 8 (1-cup) servings

Ingredients:
1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 red bell pepper, cored and chopped

1 yucca, peeled and cut into one-inch cubes (about 2/3 cup)

1 cup peeled red potato small chunks

1 plantain, peeled and diced

6 cups fat-free chicken broth

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

4 cups skinless rotisserie chicken chunks
2 tablespoons lime juice

Cilantro, optional
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In large pot coated with nonstick cooking spray, add green onions, red pepper, yucca, potato, plantain, chicken broth, garlic, cumin and oregano; bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes or until vegetables tender. Add chicken, stirring, until well heated.

3. Add lime juice and cilantro if desired and season to taste.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 216 kcal, Calories from fat 24%, Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Sodium 947 mg, Carbohydrates 21 g, Dietary Fiber 3 g, Total Sugars 6 g, Protein 21 g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 1/2 lean meat

Terrific Tip: Fresh On average, one medium lime produces about 2 tablespoons of lime juice; but you can also look for lime juice in the grocery to keep on hand at all times.

Nutritional Nugget: Yucca is a good source of the mineral, potassium, which aids the body in building muscle and electrical heart activity. To reduce the sodium for diabetic friendly, use low-sodium chicken broth.

Holly Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.

TUNE IN: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-RiggsMSEd,RD,CDE,CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

11/15/201711/28/2017

Why The New Blood Pressure guidelines Are Important

On November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we discussed the new guidelines redefining who should be diagnosed with high blood pressure. Surprisingly doctors say nearly half the US population meet the new criteria.

How about you?

Under the new guidelines, developed by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, anyone with blood pressure of 120 over 80 is considered to have “elevated blood pressure” while any patient with a reading of more than 130 over 80 will be classified as having “Stage 1 High Blood Pressure.” High blood pressure was previously defined as 140 over 90 or higher.

What these guidelines are emphasizing is there’s so much benefit from a better blood pressure number and paying attention to blood pressure and not ignoring it, even if you’ve never had a complication of heart disease.

“Yes, we will label more people hypertensive and give more medication, but we will save lives and money by preventing more strokes, cardiovascular events and kidney failure,” Kenneth Jamerson, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Health System who was involved in writing the guidelines said in a statement.

These new guidelines aim to get the public to recognize that high blood pressure is very important and that it does contribute to what’s the biggest cause of death and disability for Americans, which is heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

There is real value in taking on the work of getting one’s blood pressure down.

About 25% of people with Type 1 diabetes and 80% of people with Type 2 diabetes have high blood pressure. If your heart’s working overtime all the time then you need to talk to your healthcare provider about lifestyle and medication management.

There is also significant evidence to show that chronic hypertension can speed the arrival of cognitive problems associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. That is because the blood vessels that supply the brain can weaken just like the heart. In a 2009 Clinics in Geriatric Medicine article, Dr. Thomas Obisesan wrote, “hypertension is recognized as the most consistent risk factor for stroke and, importantly, AD [Alzheimer’s disease].”

LISTEN NOW: November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Constance Brown Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDE, Mindy Bartleson, T1D, blogger at “There’s More to the Story”, and author, Hairstylist & Salon Owner, Karline Ricketts, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’.

Enjoy an exclusive first listen of “Whitney Houston – I Wish You Love: More From ‘The Bodyguard’”ahead of the album’s release date courtesy of SONY Music. This 25th anniversary of “The Bodyguard” soundtrack album features the hit song, “I’m Every Woman” echoing the recent statistics that 1 in 10 women are now living with diabetes.

Throughout the podcast we will be talking to experts about ways to safeguard you and your family from experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as stroke, blindness and amputatio