A new study found that following eight heart-healthy habits is linked to lower rates of type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal women. Researchers used long-term data from the Women’s Health Initiative and followed women for about 16 years. They measured habits like diet, exercise, sleep, smoking and weight, and used lab tests for blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
The team scored heart health and grouped women as low, moderate or high. Women with high scores had lower diabetes risk. Body weight and blood sugar showed the strongest links to diabetes. The study’s lead author said it is never too late to benefit from improving heart health, and researchers plan to test how these measures can help prevent diabetes in clinical settings.
Difficult words
- postmenopausal — after the end of menstrual periods
- heart-healthy — good for the health of the heart
- cholesterol — a fat in the blood that affects health
- diabetes — a long-term problem with high blood sugartype 2 diabetes
- risk — the chance that a health problem happens
- score — give a number to show a resultscored
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Which of the heart-healthy habits in the article would you try to change, and why?
- Do you think people can improve heart health later in life? Why or why not?
- How could doctors use tests like blood sugar or cholesterol to help patients?
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