What is it? Who is at risk? Take the first step to understanding your condition by getting your questions answered and learning about the basics of this disease.

What Is Prediabetes?

A prediabetes diagnosis allows you to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is when your blood sugar levels are above normal but not high enough for the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes places you at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news about prediabetes is that it is reversible. You can prevent or delay it from becoming Type 2 diabetes. It takes making lifestyle changes.

From the CDC:

Amazing but true: Approximately 88 million American adults – 1 in 3 – have prediabetes. Furthermore, 90% of the people with prediabetes don’t know they have it. You can have prediabetes for years but have no obvious symptoms, so it often goes undiagnosed until serious health problems, such as Type 2 diabetes, are diagnosed.

Who Is at High Risk for Prediabetes?

You may be at greater risk to develop prediabetes if:

• You are 45 years of age or older
• You are overweight
• You have a parent, brother, or sister with Type 2 diabetes
• You have decreased physical activity – exercising less than three times per week
• You have a history of gestational diabetes – or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• You have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome

Per the CDC, race and ethnicity are also risk factors: African American, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk.