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Type 2 diabetes mellitus: prevention of macrovascular complications

Susanne H Meeuwisse-Pasterkamp1, Melanie M van der Klauw, Bruce H R Wolffenbuttel

  • 1Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. s.h.meeuwisse@int.umcg.nl

Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
|March 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Type 2 diabetes significantly increases vascular complication risks. Aggressive management of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipids is crucial for prevention and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects a growing patient population.
  • Vascular complications, including microvascular (nephropathy, retinopathy, polyneuropathy) and macrovascular (coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease), are common in T2DM.
  • Hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are key risk factors for these complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To emphasize the importance of optimal control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels in T2DM patients.
  • To highlight the role of aggressive management of these three risk factors in preventing and reducing the severity of vascular complications.
  • To note ongoing research evaluating lower treatment goals and specific medications for cardiovascular events in T2DM.

Main Methods:

  • This abstract discusses the established treatment strategies for Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • It reviews the impact of managing hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia on vascular complications.
  • It references ongoing clinical trials investigating further therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Optimal control of elevated blood glucose levels reduces hyperglycemia symptoms and helps prevent complications.
  • Treating hypertension and lipid disturbances significantly reduces the incidence and severity of vascular complications.
  • Current treatment paradigms focus on aggressive management of these three risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Aggressive and adequate treatment of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia is central to managing Type 2 diabetes and preventing vascular complications.
  • The 'lower the better' approach guides current treatment goals for blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
  • Further research is exploring the benefits of even lower treatment targets and specific drug classes on cardiovascular outcomes.

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