title: [Hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk].
abstract: Coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes are chronic diseases of substantial and growing prevalence. Although diabetes is a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, this risk is not confined to glucose levels above the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. Rather, there is now a growing consensus that nondiabetic hyperglycemia measured by fasting glucose, postload glucose or glycated hemoglobin is a progressive, continuous risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes. Whether dysglycemia is a marker for a more complex metabolic condition or may directly contribute to excess cardiovascular risk is still a matter of debate. While strategies designed to normalize glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes remain inconclusive, diabetes prevention trials suggest that along with reduction of the rate of conversion toward diabetes, a significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors occurs. Moreover, a number of ongoing studies may provide answers to this question. Recognition that nondiabetic hyperglycemia is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk may suggest new ways for preventing cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Endocrinologia e Metabolismo, Università degli Studi, Pisa.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Del Prato
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miccoli
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000209:etiology; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications*; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin