Who Faces Higher Type 2 Risk

Age is linked with higher type 2 risk. Risk grows as people get older. Adults in their 20s and 30s are seeing it too.

Ethnicity is linked with risk as well. It means the culture and ancestry you share with a group. The link comes from genes and social factors. Social factors are the ways daily life differs between groups.

Some health history is linked with higher risk too. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that starts during pregnancy. Having it in the past counts.

High blood pressure means blood pushes harder than usual against vessel walls. Abnormal cholesterol means blood fats are outside the usual range. Both are linked with higher risk as well.

Risk factors add together, like coins dropped into a jar. More factors usually means higher risk. One factor alone does not mean diabetes will happen.

Your doctor can check your personal risk. They use your health history and standard blood tests, which are routine lab checks. Ask your doctor how your history and results fit together for you.

Key takeaways

• Age, ethnicity and past gestational diabetes are each linked with higher type 2 risk.
• High blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol are also linked with higher risk.
• Factors add together, and a doctor reads them alongside standard blood tests.

Try it

Before your next checkup, list the health conditions you know about, like blood pressure or cholesterol.