Cholesterol and Diabetes
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body makes and that is found in some animal-based foods. When your healthcare professional checks your cholesterol, they look at different types of fats in your blood called lipids. These include HDL (“good”) cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol is important to overall health, but when LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is too high, it can narrow or block your blood vessels. People living with diabetes are more likely to have unhealthy cholesterol levels, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The good news is that managing cholesterol can lower your risk of heart disease and help you live a longer, healthier life.
Your healthcare professional uses a blood test called a lipid panel to measure types of fat in your blood:
- Low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol = “bad” cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol is linked to a higher risk for CVD. Your LDL number is important, but it’s not the only thing your healthcare team looks at when making treatment decisions. Some people may need medications, such as statins, to help manage LDL cholesterol. Eating foods high in saturated and trans fats can raise LDL levels.
- High-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol = “good” cholesterol
HDL cholesterol helps remove extra cholesterol from the blood. Higher HDL levels are better for heart health because they are linked to a lower risk for CVD. Low HDL cholesterol is linked to a higher risk of heart disease. Factors including genetics, Type 2 diabetes, smoking, excess weight, little or no physical activity and certain medications, such as beta-blockers and anabolic steroids, also lower HDL cholesterol levels.
- Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. Normal levels can vary by age and sex. High triglycerides combined with low HDL or high LDL cholesterol may allow extra fat to build up in the walls of blood vessels, which can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease (poor blood flow to the legs).
How does diabetes affect cholesterol?
Diabetes tends to lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol, raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and raise triglycerides. This pattern is called diabetic dyslipidemia. It increases the risk of early coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Insulin resistance, a condition that often comes before Type 2 diabetes, is also linked to unhealthy cholesterol levels and blood vessel disease. These changes can start even before diabetes is diagnosed.
Learning how to prevent and treat abnormal cholesterol levels is an important step in maintaining overall health. When cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure are managed together, you give your body the best support over time. Your healthcare team can help you understand your numbers and choose steps that fit your life.
