Diabetes and Your Heart
YOU CAN HELP LOWER YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE BY DOING THE FOLLOWING:
Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance in your body. Everyone’s body produces cholesterol. Cholesterol also comes from the food you eat.2
The two most important types of cholesterol in your blood are LDL and HDL.3
Cholesterol levels should be checked when you are diagnosed with diabetes, at the first check-up with your doctor. Your doctor will explain the necessary recommendations prior to this test.3
WHAT ARE TRIGLYCERIDES?
Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. Your body uses triglycerides as a source of energy or stores them as fat.4
The goals for LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides are not the same for all people with diabetes. Ask your doctor what cholesterol goals are right for you.4
If you have diabetes, you should have your cholesterol levels checked at the time of diagnosis, and/or at age 40 and periodically thereafter.4
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and your heart. Updated April 27, 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/spanish/resources/features/diabetes-and-heart.html. Accessed June 2022.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Cholesterol. Updated June 24, 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about.htm. Accessed June 2022.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. LDL and HDL Cholesterol: “Bad” and “Good” Cholesterol. Updated January 31, 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm. Accessed June 2022.
4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Updated April 2021. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/informacion-de-la-salud/diabetes/informacion-general/prevenir-problemas/diabetes-enfermedades-cardiacas-accidentes-cerebrovasculares. Accessed June 2022.