# Hemoglobin A1c **HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin**, is a critical marker for assessing long-term blood glucose control, with implications for longevity. Elevated HbA1c levels have been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and mortality, even in individuals without diabetes. Maintaining HbA1c within recommended levels is crucial not only for managing diabetes but also for enhancing cardiovascular health and potentially extending longevity. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.beoptimal.ca/biomarker-panels/focused-longevity-panel/hemoglobin-a1c.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.