Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

The International Diabetes Federation estimates that diabetes accounts for ∼ 6% of total global mortality, with 50% of diabetes-associated deaths being attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD).1 Individuals with diabetes have twice the incident myocardial infarction (MI) rate as the general population, and survival rates are lower among individuals with diabetes once they have an adverse cardiovascular event.2 Women with diabetes and CVD, regardless of menopausal status, have a four- to sixfold increase in the risk of developing CVD, whereas men with diabetes have a two- to threefold increased risk of CVD compared to women and men without diabetes.3 Women with diabetes also have poorer prognosis after an MI, have higher risk of death from CVD than men, and typically receive less aggressive treatment to achieve treatment goals.3Because individuals with diabetes are at higher risk for CVD events than individuals without diabetes and are at risk for future events if they have already had one, most national guidelines consider CVD in their recommendations for people with diabetes.2Comprehensive guidelines, improved diagnosis, and effective treatments have definitely helped decrease mortality from CVD during the past few decades, but there is still more clinicians can do …