Many people with diabetes have trouble keeping their levels of blood lipids (fats in the blood) at healthy levels. If you have diabetes, have a blood lipid pro?le (cholesterol check; see page 25) done at least once a year, more often if your doctor recommends it. People with diabetes are more likely than the average person to have low levels of HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides.

They are more likely to have high levels of very high low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), a type of cholesterol particle that is particularly prone to forming plaque buildup.
It is extremely important for people with dia- betes to keep their cholesterol and triglyceride levels low. Most people with diabetes need med- ications in addition to lifestyle changes to keep their blood lipid pro?le at target levels. Your doc- tor may prescribe one or more of several types of cholesterol-lowering drugs.