Statins could help protect the heart in people with type 1 diabetes

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in people with type 1 diabetes, yet there has been uncertainty about whether cholesterol-lowering statin medications are effective for preventing it in this group. A recent study is helping to change that view — and it brings some hopeful news.

Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the research suggests that statins may lower the risk of both heart complications and early death in adults with type 1 diabetes who have elevated cholesterol levels.

While statins are widely used for preventing heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes or those at high cardiovascular risk, their role in type 1 diabetes has been less clear due to a lack of focused studies. This new research fills an important gap, showing that even among younger adults with type 1 diabetes, statin therapy can offer meaningful protection for the heart — and it appears to do so safely.

For individuals with type 1 diabetes, this means there is now stronger evidence to support the use of statins as part of a long-term strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk. If you live with type 1 diabetes and have higher cholesterol, it is worth discussing with your healthcare provider whether starting a statin could be right for you.

This study also reinforces the importance of a comprehensive approach to diabetes care — one that not only manages blood sugar but also protects the heart.