February is associated with hearts of paper and chocolate. The real heart of the matter, however, is the muscle in your chest that beats 60-100 times every minute, pumping oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to every system in your body.

Taking good care of your heart includes committing to a healthy lifestyle, managing conditions such as high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol, minimizing stress and staying clear of tobacco products, as well as limiting excessive use of alcohol and harmful drugs.

Your risk of developing heart disease also is higher than normal if you have diabetes, or blood sugar levels consistently higher than normal.

The Cardiac Connection

If you have diabetes, you’re also more likely to have conditions that put you at risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels are the most common.

Because diabetes can, over time, damage the nerves and blood vessels that transport blood throughout the body, this stress puts you at higher risk for high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Careful attention to controlling your blood sugar is crucial to managing diabetes – and keeping your heart as healthy as possible.

One Minute Toward Better Health

Although no one can see the future, you have tools to predict whether you’re at risk for prediabetes, which can lead to full-blown diabetes. Today – right now – you can take a 60-second quiz to assess whether you’re at risk for prediabetes.

If you score 5 or higher, consider it an opportunity to take control of prediabetes with free Diabetes Prevention Programs offered as part of your U-M Health Plan. Managing your prediabetes can also help protect you from heart disease and stroke in the long run.

Free Prevention Programs Available

U-M’s Diabetes Prevention Programs help you learn better nutrition, activity and motivational strategies to take control of prediabetes. You’re eligible for a DPP if

• You have U-M health plan coverage.
• You’re an active U-M employee age 18 or older, an active employee's covered dependent age 18 or older, a U-M retiree age 65 or younger, or a retiree's covered dependent age 65 or younger
• You meet the criteria for having prediabetes or being at risk for prediabetes as determined through completing a risk screening tool.

How Do I Enroll?

If you're enrolled in a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) or Blue Care Network (BCN) plan, you can apply for a DPP on the Omada Health website. You’ll hear whether you’re accepted within 48 hours. You can also get a glimpse into the Omada program.

If you're enrolled in Michigan Care, you can apply for the DPP with the Diabetes Prevention Center (sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan).

View readysetprevent.org for more information and to enroll.