The links between diabetes and cardiovascular disease

The aim of this study was to review current studies relevant to the link between impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of the reduction in life expectancy in patients with diabetes. Seventy-five percent of diabetic patients die prematurely of cardiovascular complications. Both prediabetes and diabetes highly pre-dispose to cardiovascular alterations. IGT and even the upper-normal of nondiabetic glucose values are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. The risk of heart disease is increased up to 15 years prior diagnosis of diabetes. Patients with chronic or acute cardiovascular disease and no previous diagnosis of diabetes frequently present with either IGT or diabetes. Patients with cardiovascular disease and no previous diagnosis of diabetes need to be screened for diabetes with an oral glucose tolerance test. In acute coronary syndromes, lowering glucose levels to the near-normal range with insulin is highly beneficial. Early and rigorous improvement of metabolic control is highly supportive in improving the cardiovascular outcome in patients with dysglycemia. Preventive treatment strategies, which include multiple approaches, are required to overcome the burden of cardiovascular disease in diabetes and IGT.