Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

Glycemia and cardiovascular risk: challenging evidence based medicine

K Kitsios1, A Tsapas, P Karagianni

  • 12 Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Hippokratia
|March 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Strict glycemic control can reduce long-term cardiovascular disease in diabetes. However, for type 2 diabetics with existing complications, individualized treatment is crucial to avoid harm.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Optimal glycemic control is proven to reduce microvascular complications in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • The impact of glycemic control on major cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke in diabetics remains controversial.
  • Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in patients with diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causal relationship between glycemia and cardiovascular outcomes in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • To analyze recent data from large interventional studies regarding glycemic control and cardiovascular events.
  • To discuss individualized treatment strategies for diabetes management concerning cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of recent large interventional studies.
  • Analysis of data on glycemic control and cardiovascular outcomes in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • Discussion of potential risks and benefits of strict glycemic control.

Main Results:

  • Strict glycemic control initiated early may reduce long-term cardiovascular disease incidence in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • Intensive glycemic control can be detrimental for type 2 diabetics with established cardiovascular complications and long-standing suboptimal control.
  • Individualized treatment targets are necessary, considering factors like hypoglycemia and autonomic neuropathy.

Conclusions:

  • Early strict glycemic control shows promise for long-term cardiovascular risk reduction in diabetes.
  • A nuanced approach is required for type 2 diabetics with advanced disease and complications.
  • Personalized diabetes management, accounting for comorbidities, is essential for optimizing cardiovascular outcomes.

Keywords:
cardiovascular riskdiabeteshypoglycemianeuropathyreview

More Related Videos

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes07:22

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes

Published on: March 7, 2025

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory10:03

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory

Published on: February 28, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:24

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy01:15

Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy

The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus01:22

Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...