Diabetes

More than 23 million Americans are living with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, amputation and nerve damage. If well controlled, people with diabetes can avoid serious complications.

In Greater Cleveland, more than 40 physician practices with more than 300 doctors volunteered to measure how they and their patients are doing to keep diabetes under control with care that works -- so they can improve. Learn what role you can play to do better.  Learn more.

Heart Failure

More than 5 million Americans are living with heart failure, and 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the American Heart Association.

Heart failure is one kind of heart disease. It is a serious, life-long condition where the heart can’t pump blood through the body as well as it should. It reduces the flow of blood through the body, leaving important organs such as your kidneys less blood supply than they need.

The condition worsens over time, but it can be managed by you and your doctor.

Learn more.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, which also is called hypertension, is often called the Silent Killer, because it can cause damage without any symptoms. It affects one of every three American adults, and accounts for one of every five African-American deaths.

Blood pressure measures the force of the blood flowing through your blood vessels. With high blood pressure, the tension within the blood vessels is greater so the heart has to work harder.

With medication and a healthy lifestyle, high blood pressure can be managed. Learn more.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of death among Americans. More than 16 million Americans living today have a history of coronary heart disease.

In coronary heart disease, cholesterol (fat) builds up inside blood vessel walls, restricting the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. When blocked, they cause a heart attack.