Cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.

Cardiovascular disease is the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. This article evaluates the results of clinical interventions that have been tested for their ability to ameliorate cardiovascular disease through identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors. These include hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, and a procoagulant state. Attention to all cardiovascular risk factors is necessary if physicians are to reduce the burden of these complications in diabetic patients.