Diabetes and the Heart

The resistance to insulin actions usually induces a state of hyperinsulinaemia as a compensatory mechanism , this hyperinsulinaemia is commonly associated with a number of cardiovascular risk factors including central obesity , hypertension , hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia .

Of course all these factors play a big role in the early development , rapid and worse progression of atherosclerosis and coronary events .

According to the recent published data , the age standardized cardiac mortality in type 2 Diabetes are almost three times that of non diabetics either in men or women , the prevalence of co-morbid conditions in type 2 Diabetes are about 65% of type 2 diabetics are also hypertensive , at least 50% have dyslipidaemia , 22% having angina or heart failure , 34% have other heart diseases , 25% of type 2 Diabetics have already cardiovascular complications at the time of diagnosis of their hyperglycaemia and those type 2 diabetics are having 2 – 4 folds increased incidence of coronary heart diseases compared to non diabetics .

Not only that , but 75% of admissions of type 2 diabetics are due to cardiac problems and cardiovascular mortality now represent not less than two thirds of all type 2 diabetic mortality .

Aggressive control of Dyslipidaemia and Hypertension seems to be mandatory in people with diabetes especially those with type 2 Diabetes , we should follow strictly the guidelines published by the high caliber authorities like the American Diabetes Association ADA , World Health Organization WHO….etc

Indications for initial treatment and goals for adult hypertensive diabetic patients

Adapted from Diabetes Care 2003
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Category of risk based on lipoprotein levels in adults with diabetes

Data are given in milligrams per deciliter.

• For women, the HDL cholesterol values should be increased by 10 mg/dl.
  Adapted from Diabetes Care 2003