Diabetes mellitus and heart disease.
The number of patients with type II diabetes is increasing and predicted to exceed 200 million during the next 10 to 15 years. These patients frequently meet a cardiologist, since even diabetic patients without previous myocardial infarction have as high a risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and death from cardiovascular causes as non-diabetic patients with previous myocardial infarction. Approximately 20% of patients admitted to coronary care units, and some 30% of those with heart failure, have type II diabetes mellitus. Proper care of these patients requires knowledge of both diabetes and cardiology. This review is based on the data presented in lectures and break-out sessions at the European Heart House in November 1998 and summarizes the most recent data from treatment trials which have included type II diabetic patients either as a primary study group or a subgroup.
Yki-Järvinen
H
H
Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4, 00290 Helsinki, Finland. ykijarvi@helsinki.fi