Research
Macro partitioning
Aggressive LDL-lowering therapy reduces recurrent coronary heart disease (CHD) events in patients with diabetes, even if their baseline LDL cholesterol is not markedly elevated.
If you have diabetes and heart disease, you likely need a statin even if your LDL cholesterol isn't extremely high. Clinical trials show that aggressive LDL lowering significantly reduces the risk of future heart attacks in diabetics. Aim for an LDL level below 100 mg/dL through medication and diet, as your blood vessels are more susceptible to damage from LDL.
StrongSupportsVERY_HIGH confidence
In all of these trials, aggressive LDL-lowering therapy reduced recurrent CHD events in patients with diabetes... it is true that most patients who have diabetes do not have marked elevations of LDL cholesterol, but these patients nonetheless carry high enough levels to support the development of atherosclerosis.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple large clinical trials (4S, CARE, LIPID).
Source
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
Scott M. Grundy et al. · Circulation · 1999
clinical_guidelineCited 2,697×
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