No abstract

In diabetes mellitus (DM) the heart is the organ most frequently involved, being a major risk factor for developing coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertensive heart disease (HHD), diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN), entities with high morbidity and mortality,that can coexist in the same patient. Diabetics with established coronary heart disease have a major risk for acute myocardial infarction. Coronary Heart Disease in diabetics has its own features regarding diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. In DM it is widely recognized the deleterious effect of hyperglycemia as a cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) for the onset and progression of complications. Moreover, the evidence from clinical trials has shown the importance of a global therapeutic approach, not only an early strict glycemia control, but also in the control at the rest CVRF, making possible to reduce CV morbidity and overall mortality. Recently it has been standardized the way to study and manage these factors, in the presence of DM. The key is, in the early research and treatment of pre-DM and DM states and the other associated cardiovascular risk factors, such as: high LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking and obesity control. Although DCM and CAN are less frequent, they are not less important, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment, because of its increased morbidity and mortality. Heart failure (HF) is common in people with diabetes. Although the CD is the most common cause of HF, is important to emphasize that DCM also contributes and should be investigated, because it increases morbidity and mortality, reduces exercise tolerance and worsens quality of life. The end-stage renal failure is a frequent cause of heart failure in diabetics. The aim of this article is to present an update of the diagnosis and management of the cardiac disease in diabetes mellitus.