If you heard that 79 million people were at risk for a chronic condition that could lead to blindness, dementia, and loss of limbs, but they had no idea they were carrying around a ticking time bomb, you'd want to know if you, your family, or friends were in danger.

According to a new campaign launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 81% of the 98 million Americans with prediabetes have no idea. That puts them at risk for premature cardiovascular disease as well as stroke and Type 2 diabetes, with all of its serious complications.

Many with prediabetes progress to full-blown diabetes within five years.

You can discover if you have prediabetes with a simple blood test; a fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL means you have the condition.

Whatever your age, if you have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, and/or don't get much physical activity, get tested. If you are diagnosed it, focus on this: Prediabetes gives you the opportunity to prevent diabetes.

To reverse prediabetes, lose 5% to 7% of your body weight, get 150 to 300 minutes of physical activity weekly (including strength-training), manage stress, and eat a fish- and plant-based diet that ditches red and processed meats, added sugars, and ultra-processed foods.

Adopting those changes today can help you dodge the life-shortening complications of Type 2 diabetes tomorrow.