Summary

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for individuals with T2DM [McEwen LN et al. Diabetes Care 2012]. Common conditions that coexist with T2DM (eg, hypertension and dyslipidemia) are clear risk factors for CVD; however, a diagnosis of T2DM itself confers independent risk [Whittington HJ et al. Cardiol Res Pract 2012].