The 2008 guidelines, which is the latest of a new set of guidelines issued every five years, lays stress on pinpointing prediabetes. It recommends to both, the doctors and patients, to take aggressive steps to prevent Type 2 diabetes. In the prediabetes condition, the patient’s blood sugar levels go up and the patient has less tolerance to blood sugar. According to Ellen Macolmson, President and CEO of Canadian Diabetes Association, "Research has shown that long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring before a diabetes diagnosis." 

"We know that the risk of heart disease starts before people get diabetes, so certainly people who have prediabetes are going to be at increased risk," said Dr. Gillian Booth, an endocrinologist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto . "They may have some of the other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or abnormal lipids (blood fats)." These risks continue to grow deadlier as people get diabetes and result in pre mature death of about 80% diabetics. 

Detection of prediabetes, prevents Type 2 diabetes. Since it is a condition in which the blood sugar levels are near but not completely near the diabetes signs, patients have a chance to control it. Some changes in life style and medications can help. A major factor in preventing diabetes at this stage is weight loss and regular exercise.