Exploring the Link with Diabetes, Hypertension and Stroke
Link with Diabetes
- Higher bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides are linked to type 2 diabetes.
- They lead to an increase in the risk of pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and worsening glucose control.
- Diabetes worsens dyslipidemia and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Link with Hypertension
- Higher bad cholesterol contributes to narrowing the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.
- This leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks.
Link with Stroke
- Elevated bad cholesterol levels lead to plaque formation within the arteries supplying blood to the brain.
- Plaques cause a clot and block the blood flow to the brain, resulting in a stroke.
Dyslipidemia can indeed lead to diabetes, hypertension, and stroke and vice versa. Your Doctors may prescribe medications (statins or fibrates) to help you manage your cholesterol levels.
References:
- Sharma, A., Mittal, S., Aggarwal, R. et al. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: inter-relation of risk factors and treatment. Futur J Pharm Sci 6, 130 (2020).
- Lu S, Bao MY, Miao SM, et al. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and their additive effects on myocardial infarction and stroke: a cross-sectional study in Nanjing, China. Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(18):436