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About Us

Key Information

  • Type 2 diabetes already raises your risk of heart and blood-vessel problems, so cholesterol is considered as part of your wider future risk.
  • Some cholesterol in the blood can contribute to fatty deposits building up in arteries, which can narrow and damage them over time.
  • The team looks at the whole picture, including diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking and other aspects of your health rather than judging one cholesterol result on its own.
  • Lifestyle changes can help, and cholesterol-lowering medication may sometimes offer extra protection depending on your individual circumstances.

Why Does Cholesterol Matter?

Your body needs cholesterol, but some cholesterol in your blood can lead to fatty deposits building up in your arteries over time.

As these deposits build up, arteries can become narrowed and damaged. If an artery supplying your heart or brain becomes blocked, this can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Why Does Diabetes Change How Cholesterol Is Looked At?

Having type 2 diabetes already raises your risk of heart and blood-vessel problems. This means the team does not look at a single cholesterol result in isolation.

Your diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, whether you smoke and other aspects of your health are considered together because they tell the team more about your future risk than any one result can.

What Can Help Reduce the Risk?

Eating well, staying active and stopping smoking if you smoke can all help. The team can also work with you on other factors, such as your blood pressure.

Why Might Medication Still Be Offered?

Medication is not only used when lifestyle changes have failed. The question is whether lowering your cholesterol is likely to reduce your future risk when your overall health is considered.

If it is likely to help, a statin or another cholesterol-lowering medicine may offer extra protection against heart attack and stroke. Whether medication is right for you is an individual conversation.

Further Information

For more information about diabetes, please visit the NHS website.

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

Next review due: 21 August 2029