MONITORING LIPIDS (CHOLESTEROL LEVELS)
Heart disease is a risk factor in people with diabetes, especially if you have type 2
diabetes, long-standing type 1 diabetes, or complications from type 1 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the risk of
heart attack is increased twofold. This is the same frequency as nondiabetic individuals who have already had a
previous heart attack. Under these circumstances, your LDL cholesterol should be below 100 mg/dl—ide-ally around
70 mg/dl. Have your lipid levels checked annually by your physician, and more frequently if you are getting
treated. If you are a young patient with type 1 diabetes and your lipid profile is normal, measuring your lipids
every two years is fi ne.
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