Its reticulated: the liver at the heart of atherosclerosis

What is it about?

Patients with diabetes and high "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels have increased numbers of platelets in the blood and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke and . Platelets play a critical role in causing heart attacks and strokes by promoting blot clot formation, but are also involved in causing the build-up of plaque in the blood vessel which leads to such events. Aspirin is the primary drug used to prevent recurring heart attacks and stroke by blocking platelet function, however, aspirin is less effective in patients with diabetes. Here we discuss how diseases such as diabetes and high LDL cholesterol, increase platelet production (constantly forming platelets not yet affected by aspirin) and consequently increase the development of heart disease and discuss potential methods to block this increased platelets production to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke in these high-risk patient groups.

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