[콕!건강]If you are diabetic… You need to control ‘dyslipidemia’ faster, lower and more actively

[아시아경제 이관주 기자] Dyslipidaemia refers to a condition where total blood cholesterol, low density cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride, which is the bad cholesterol that causes arteriosclerosis, or high density cholesterol (HDL), which is the good cholesterol that prevents arteriosclerosis, is be lowered. . When LDL cholesterol is high, hypercholesterolemia, when triglycerides are high, hypertriglyceridemia, and when HDL cholesterol decreases, it is called dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia is a condition where lipid components in the blood are excessive, and these lipid components accumulate on the walls of blood vessels and cause inflammation, which can cause cardiovascular diseases such as angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, so special attention is needed.

Although the causes are varied, they are mainly divided into primary causes caused by specific gene mutations and secondary causes related to obesity, alcohol consumption, high carbohydrate and high fat diets, thyroid, kidney, liver function abnormalities , and type 2 diabetes. Hypertriglyceridemia is closely linked to obesity, alcohol consumption, type 2 diabetes, and unhealthy eating patterns, which are problems in modern society. Low HDL cholesterol is known to be caused by genetic predisposition, obesity and smoking. Dyslipidemia refers to a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol of 160 mg/dL, triglyceride level of 200 mg/dL or more, and HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women. . .

According to the Korean Society for Lipid and Atherosclerosis ‘Fact Sheet 2022’ data, the prevalence of dyslipidemia in adults aged 20 years and older was about 40%. Specifically, dyslipidemia was found in 87% of diabetic patients, 72% of hypertensive patients, and 53.7% of obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more in the prevalence of chronic diseases known as modern diseases such as diabetes , overweight, and obesity.

Among these, the most important co-morbidity is diabetes. Diabetes itself causes various problems in the blood vessels. High blood glucose causes problems in several coronary arteries at once, often reoccurs even after treatment, and has a poor survival rate compared to non-diabetics. In addition, diabetes increases the levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and decreases HDL cholesterol, thereby exacerbating dyslipidemia.

In the case of a diabetic patient, even if the level of LDL cholesterol is more than 100 mg / dL, it is diagnosed as dyslipidemia that requires specialist treatment. This is because even if the level of LDL cholesterol is not high, ‘very low density cholesterol (VLDL) increases, making atherosclerosis more likely. As such, diabetic patients need to be more proactive in treating and managing dyslipidaemia. Hwang Yoo-chul, a professor in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Kyunghee University Hospital in Gangdong, said, “In diabetic patients, drug treatment is important to lower the level of LDL cholesterol, which is the main goal of managing dyslipidemia,” said Professor Hwang.For the same lipid level, diabetic patients have a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-diabetics. “Treat earlier, more aggressively, with lower lipid targets” he emphasized.

If you are diabetic but do not have cardiovascular disease, you should control your HDL cholesterol to below 100 mg/dl. However, if you have cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, smoking, coronary artery disease or a family history, it is recommended to adjust the level to less than 70 mg/dL. Professor Hwang said,For diabetic patients, the control of dyslipidemia and hyperlipidemia is a very important part not only for the quality of life but also for the prevention and management of future complications,” he said.

Reporter Gwanju Lee leekj5@asiae.co.kr