Keeping the diabetic heart healthy.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important and preventable complication and major cause of death in diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
This article outlines the prevention and early detection of CVD in people with type 2 diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes is a major risk factor for CVD, both independently and because it tends to occur in association with other behavioural and physiological risk factors. There is good evidence that careful control of these risk factors can significantly delay the development of heart disease, and that this is possible to achieve in general practice. Key interventions are smoking cessation; diet and physical activity; targeted use of medications to achieve glycaemic, blood pressure and lipid control; and aspirin. Interventions require a whole practice approach involving practice staff, practice systems and links with other care providers.
Harris
Mark
M
Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales. m.f.harris@unsw.edu.au
Wan
Qing
Q
D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
D001241:Aspirin