Person behind the numbers

Laura is 58 years old and has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She has an LDL of 3.6 mmol/L and HDL of 1.2 mmol/L. Laura was very worried about her diabetes and was unaware she had high cholesterol. She is now concerned about her risk of cardiovascular disease.

"I was getting very thirsty and drinking a lot and my doctor told me that this was due to the diabetes. I've been started on treatment for this, but the doctor also said that the fats in the blood are too high and he would like to put me on a tablet to help my arteries as well as my diabetes." Laura, 58

History Recent diagnosis of type II diabetes - recommended diet and exercise Medications - metformin 500mg b.d Non smoker Examination BP - 124/76 MMHg CVS - normal Eyes & CNS - normal Investigations Lipids - TC - 6.6 mmol/L; LDL-C 3.6 mmol/L; HDL-C 1.2 fasting TG 2.1 mmol/L FBC normal; LFTs normal; CK and creatinine normal; fasting glucose 9.6 mmol/L; HbAIC 7.8; urinanalysis - dipstick-ve, glucose ++

Eddie is 59 years old with a history of angina and an LDL cholesterol level of 6.9mmol/l despite previous statin therapy. Eddie doesn’t want to be another one of the thousands that die from cardiovascular disease every year in the UK.

"I’ve always avoided the doctors but finally my wife persuaded me to see the doctor for a check up because she has always been worried about what happened to my dad, and that’s how they found out about my high blood pressure. I’ve just come back for my blood results and they’ve just told me my cholesterol is too high, so I suppose I’d better start watching what I eat. Easier said than done.” Eddie, 59

History Family history - father died of MI aged 51 Medications - atenolol 50 mg od; lisinopril 10mg od Used to smoke - 15/day for 35 years but has given up for 15 years Examination BP - 145/95 mmHg (on treatment) CVS - normal Investigations Lipids - TC - 5.7 mmol/L; LDL-C 3.8 mmol/L; HDL-C 0.93 mmol/L; fasting TG 2.1 mmol/L FBC normal; LFTs normal; CK normal;fasting glucose 4.7 mmol/L