Prediabetes is a condition in which a person's blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be considered diabetes. This means a fasting blood sugar of 100-125 mg/dl or a value of 140-199 mg/dl two hours after a glucose tolerance test. Prediabetes can also be diagnosed with a A1c value (the three month average blood sugar) of 5.7-6.4%.

 

People with prediabetes do not often exhibit any symptoms. They are, however, at greater risk for developing diabetes and having a heart attack or stroke.

 

 

 

A person with certain risk factors is more likely to develop prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. These risk factors include: age, especially after 45 years of age; being overweight or obese; a family history of diabetes; having an African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander racial or ethnic background; a history of diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or having given birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more; and being physically active less than three times a week.