Units

PubMed

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Citation

Type

Journal

Publication Date

Issn Print

Pages

Brief description/objective

Cardiovascular disease is by far the major cause of morbidity and mortality in subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2. The risk of cardiovascular disease in persons with type 2 diabetes is greater for any given risk factor, alone or in combination, than it is in persons without diabetes. Independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes are hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking. Subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2 benefit from cardiovascular risk factor modification, either as a primary or secondary intervention, as much as or more than those without diabetes. Risk factor modification includes behavioral modification to affect regular physical activity, healthy diet, weight loss, and smoking cessation. In addition, an optimal glycemic control with HbA1c < 7% is crucial and, aggressive management of hypertension (< 130/80 mmHg) and dyslipidemia are particularly important. Finally, aspirin (100 mg/d) is standard in secondary prophylaxis of cardiovascular events and should strongly be considered in primary prophylaxis if subjects have more than 1 concomitant cardiovascular risk factors.