[Prevention of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes].
BACKGROUND
Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of morbidity and premature mortality from cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies show that many of the risk factors are the same as in non-diabetic subjects. At present there are sufficient data in the literature to recommend prophylactic measures to be initiated in diabetic patients.


METHODS
We review major studies relevant for prophylactic measures against cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes, and suggest Norwegian recommendations.


RESULTS
All patients should be advised to adhere to a healthy life style including an appropriate diet, physical exercise and no smoking. Treatment of hyperglycaemia is primarily indicated in order to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of microvascular complications, as it still remains to be proven if glucose lowering therapy may protect against macrovascular disease. Pharmacological prophylactic therapy with acetylsalicylic acid, anti-hypertensive agents and lipid lowering drugs are indicated in high-risk patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions may protect type 2 diabetic patients from premature cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Anti-hypertensive treatment may protect diabetic patients both from microvascular and macrovascular disease and premature death.
Birkeland
K I
KI
Hormonlaboratoriet, Aker sykehus, Oslo. kare.birkeland@ioks.uio.no
Claudi
T
T
Hansteen
V
V
Hanssen
K F
KF
Hjermann
I
I
Jenssen
T
T
Jervell
J
J
Os
I
I
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D004045:Dietary Services; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008019:Life Style; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D001241:Aspirin