Eighty-six million Americans are at risk for the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. — and 90 percent of them have no idea.

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November 29, 2020 | Understand your risk for Type 2 diabetes with new online tool (WTOP's Rachel Nania )

WASHINGTON — Eighty-six million Americans are at risk for the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. — and 90 percent of them have no idea.

Prediabetes is becoming increasingly common. In fact, one in three American adults has it. But for the most part, prediabetes is going unnoticed.

It’s a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough to qualify as Type 2 diabetes, explains Ann Albright, director of the Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“So it is a serious condition that is giving you a preview — a heads-up — that you’re at risk,” she says.

According to the Mayo Clinic, without intervention, prediabetes will likely develop into Type 2 diabetes in 10 years or less. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects roughly 29 million Americans and puts one at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney disease.

Albright says the main reason the 90 percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it is because it doesn’t come with obvious warning signs.

“Most people do not have symptoms — at least not ones that you would think, ‘Oh, there’s something wrong.’ You might be a little fatigued, but nothing that’s that noticeable,” she says.

The symptoms may be absent, but the health risks associated with prediabetes are real and present.

“It puts you at higher risk for a heart attack and stroke, two of the top leading causes of death in the country,” Albright says.

One way to know where you stand with prediabetes is through a new screening test developed by the CDC. It’s a free online questionnaire that hits on family history, exercise habits and dietary patterns, and gives the user an indication of his risk.

If the risk is high, Albright says there’s some good news: A change in diet and exercise pattern can completely reverse prediabetes.

“The evidence is clear that when people know that they have something, they are much more likely to take action,” she says, adding that those who score a high risk are also encouraged to see a physician.

“No one is excused from prediabetes and we want everyone to know their status,” Albright adds.