Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: explaining the relationship. Journal Articles

abstract

• Diabetes is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, even elevated glucose levels below the diabetic range increase cardiovascular risk. There are several possible explanations for this relationship. First, glucose and its metabolites have direct toxic effects on vascular endothelium. Second, abnormal glucose is evidence of absolute or relative insulin deficiency, which can predispose patients to cardiovascular disease via endothelial dysfunction, lipid abnormalities, and inflammation. Third, antecedent factors, such as toxins, abnormal energy storage, and hypertension, may contribute to the development of both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Whether glucose lowering can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease is currently being studied in a number of large trials.

authors

• Punthakee, Zubin
• Werstuck, Geoff
• Gerstein, Hertzel Chaim

status

• published 

publication date

• 2007

has subject area

• Blood Glucose (MeSH)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (MeSH)
• Cardiovascular System & Hematology (Science Metrix)
• Diabetes Complications (MeSH)
• Endothelium, Vascular (MeSH)
• Humans (MeSH)
• Hyperglycemia (MeSH)
• Hypertension (MeSH)
• Inflammation (MeSH)
• Insulin (MeSH)
• Risk Factors (MeSH)
• United States (MeSH)

published in

• Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine  Journal

keywords

• Blood Glucose
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Diabetes Complications
• Endothelium, Vascular
• Humans
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypertension
• Inflammation
• Insulin
• Risk Factors
• United States

PubMed ID

• 17938614

start page

• 145

end page

• 153

volume

• 8

issue

• 3