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People who have Type 2 Diabetes have an
elevated risk of heart and blood vessel disease. In fact, Type 2
Diabetics are 3 times as likely to due to develop cerebrovascular
diseases (such as strokes), which is caused by a diminished supply of
blood to the brain. The reasons for this are not yet fully understood
but researchers have identified a number of causal factors; diabetics
are more frequent sufferers from hyper-tension; they are more likely
to be categorized as obese; they are more likely to have dyslipidemia
(a blanket term for decreased HDL cholesterol levels and increased
LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels).
Type 2 Diabetics are also more likely
to have high levels of fibrinogen, which is known to promote blood
clotting. Therefore, they are more likely to develop blood clots,
increasing the likelihood of further restricting already compromised
blood vessels.
Scientists, then, are aware that those
with an elevated risk of heart and blood vessel disease, such as Type
2 Diabetics, have elevated triglyceride levels. However, they are
still not sure as to what role triglycerides play in the risk of
heart disease. It is entirely possible that they don’t play any
part at all. However, they do know that elevations in triglyceride
levels do change the size and density of LDL cholesterol, making the
particles smaller and denser. People who have these smaller, denser
LDL cholesterol particles appear to be amongst the highest risk group
for heart disease.
These links between high triglyceride
levels, diabetes and heart and blood vessel related disease indicate
that lowering triglyceride levels should be a prime concern for all
diabetics. The American Diabetics Association state that a
triglyceride level of greater than or equal to 400 mg/dl puts people
with diabetes at high risk for macrovascular disease, a level of
150-399 mg/dl puts them at borderline risk, and a level below 150
mg/dl puts them at low risk for macrovascular disease.
In order to find out what your
triglyceride levels are, you will need to have a test of your blood
lipid levels. You will need to fast for at least 12 hours prior to
taking the test.
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