You've no doubt heard about the dangers of type 2 diabetes-an increased risk of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and other complications. Now comes another danger: Pre-diabetes, also called impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, is a condition in which your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than normal. As excess glucose builds up in your bloodstream, it damages your nerves and blood vessels. People who have pre-diabetes have a 50 percent higher risk for heart disease or stroke.

Are you at risk?
An estimated 41 million people have pre-diabetes; many are unaware they have the condition since it usually shows no symptoms. If you're overweight and more than 45 years old, you may be at risk. Ask your Bronx VA healthcare provider about a pre-diabetes screening. If you're overweight but younger than 45 years old, your provider may advise testing if you have any of these risk factors:

• high blood pressure
• low HDL (good) cholesterol and high triglycerides
• a history of gestational diabetes or of giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• being African-American, Hispanic, Latino, Native American or of Asian/Pacific Islander descent

Exercising improves your appetite and controls your blood sugar. See page 3 for information about MOVE!, VA's weight-management program, and how MOVE! can help you get active.

Pre-diabetes is a chronic condition that can go undetected unless you have your blood sugar tested. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle-eating a nutritious diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight or losing excess pounds-you can avoid the disease and the toll it can take on your body.