Many women, even those who have been aware of their diabetes for years, are unaware of the risks posed by heart disease, which is often connected to diabetes.

There are no obvious symptoms from high blood sugar or the condition called insulin resistance, so few people realize it is creeping up and putting them on the path to diabetes, heart disease or both.

But insulin resistance, a type of pre-diabetes, is a growing national problem: Some experts believe half of all overweight or obese American adults are insulin-resistant.

Yet, even many women with a family history of heart disease or diabetes don't know they need to eat a healthier diet and get more exercise to avoid those problems...two of the nation's top killers.

"We think this is a very important new issue for women," said Audrey Sheppard, chief executive of the National Women's Health Resource Center. "There's very little awareness."

It is crucial to have your blood sugar checked often to see if you are in this 'pre-diabetes' state.