Many Diabetics Uninformed About Health Risks, Study Finds

More than two-thirds of Americans with diabetes do not realize they have a much higher than normal risk of heart disease and stroke, a survey released Tuesday shows.

People with diabetes also seem not to know that they can reduce their risk by exercising, eating more healthy foods and taking medications to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, says the survey, commissioned by the American Diabetes Assn. and the American College of Cardiology.

“So many people just do not make the connection between diabetes and heart disease,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said.

“More than 16 million Americans have diabetes and that figure is growing at an alarming rate,” he added, citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projections that the number will grow by 165% over the next 50 years.

Thompson, who has taken on diabetes as a pet project, said he wants to encourage exercise and a healthier lifestyle among all Americans.