Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in patients with diabetes: a message from the National Diabetes Education Program.
OBJECTIVE
To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) a review of current practice guidelines that help clinicians' efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes and its major macrovascular complications.


METHODS
This paper presents data from major evidence-based studies and clinical trials that define the scope of the problem, the rationale for risk reduction, and a patient-centered action plan for NPs to effectively manage cardiovascular risk factors in people with diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
NPs are active partners with the National Diabetes Education Program and play a key role in efforts to effectively manage cardiovascular risk factors in people with diabetes and improve their awareness of the link between diabetes and heart disease and stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
The action plan to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes will help NPs to implement the most effective management strategies for medical nutrition therapy, physical activity, and pharmacological therapy required for patient-centered proactive management of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and lipid abnormalities.
Blonde
Lawrence
L
Ochsner Diabetes Clinical Research Unit, Section on Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA. lblonde@ochsner.org
Dempster
Judith
J
Gallivan
Joanne M
JM
Warren-Boulton
Elizabeth
E
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D009017:Morbidity; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D001241:Aspirin