Originally published July 12 2005
Diabetics encouraged to monitor blood lipids as well as sugar
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Most people know diabetes means close monitoring of blood sugar levels, but East Valley Living reports most people don't know that blood lipids -- fats in your blood -- can contribute to your risk of heart disease if they aren't tracked closely.
If you are one of 18 million Americans affected by diabetes, you already know how important it is to monitor your blood sugar levels.
Abnormal levels of blood lipids, which are actually fats in your blood, can lead to cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Many people with diabetes have an abnormal lipid profile -- high-density lipoproteins or HDL (good cholesterol) levels that are too low, and triglyceride levels that are too high.
This combination of factors is known as diabetic dyslipidemia, and can lead to heart attack and stroke.
A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 70 to 97 percent of individuals with diabetes have diabetic dyslipidemia.
To decrease complications from this condition, people with diabetes need to control their lipids as carefully as they monitor their blood sugar.
In fact, the American Heart Association reports that for every one percent you lower your LDL cholesterol, you reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease by one percentage point.
This includes making sure you have healthy eating habits, and incorporating some form of physical activity into your daily routine.
These lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of complications from diabetes, and raise your chances for a healthy life.
Another step to controlling your lipid profile is to schedule an appointment with your physician or health care provider to have your blood lipid levels checked.
If there are any problems, you can work with your physician to develop a treatment plan that is right for you, which may include cholesterol-lowering medication.
If you are currently prescribed medication for type 2 diabetes, ask your physician about its effects on your cholesterol, as some diabetes medications may have the potential to impact your cholesterol profile.
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