03/05/2026
You might typically associate high cholesterol (and particularly LDL) with cardiovascular risk and associate insulin resistance more with risk of diabetes.
In reality, they are closely linked.
Insulin resistance affects far more than blood glucose alone. It influences lipid metabolism, inflammatory pathways and vascular function — all of which contribute to cardiovascular risk over time.
This creates a metabolic environment that not only alters blood markers, but can also affect the structure and function of blood vessels themselves, including damage to the vessel lining and promotion of plaque formation (atherosclerosis).
This is why assessing health purely through cholesterol alone can sometimes miss a big part of the picture.
Metabolic health — including insulin sensitivity, body composition and overall lifestyle — plays a significant role in long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
Understanding this wider picture allows for a more complete and personalised approach to health.
If you want to understand your current metabolic and heart health or are interested in wellness and longevity, I provide health assessments, a wide range of blood tests, clinical interpretation and personalised advice and treatments, where appropriate.
Appointments can be arranged via
Hormone, metabolic health and medical weight management consultations and prescribed treatments are available online UK-wide.
Injectable and device-based treatments require face-to-face clinical assessment at the CQC-registered Skin&Spirit clinic in Clowne, Chesterfield.
All prescription treatments are subject to full clinical consultation and appropriate assessment.
HormoneHealth
HealthyAgeing
FunctionalMedicineUK
NursePrescriber