[Epidemiologic aspects of ischemic heart diseases in diabetic women]

The author discusses the relation of female gender, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease relying upon the "WHO/Europe Health For All" statistical database, data of MEDLINE and the results of Framingham Heart Study. Cardiovascular disease is multifactorial in origin, and it is in connection with increasing prevalence and incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The mortality caused by ischaemic heart disease is 3-5 times higher if the patients suffer from diabetes mellitus as well. Diabetes mellitus alters the existing difference between males and females in the epidemiological characteristics of ischaemic heart disease. Pathomechanismus (such as metabolic disorders of lipids, hemostasis, endothelial function) are in connection with the changes of estrogen/progesteron balance, have a great role in this change. Diabetes mellitus still has been of significant epidemiological importance from the point of view of cardiovascular's incidence. The prevention of micro-, and macroangiopathy caused by diabetes mellitus beside the genetic factors is one of the most important parts of the epidemiological strategy.