Via practica 1/2021

Diabesity and cardiovascular diseases

Diabesity (obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus) has become a pandemic affecting both sexes and all age categories in the 21st century. Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2T) as interrelated chronic diseases are significant risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CVD are the main cause of increased morbidity as well as mortality in these patients. We present the previously known pathophysiological mechanisms linking diabesity to the onset and progression of CVD. We also deal in detail with the specifics of individual CVD in patients suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings determine the main directions of prevention and treatment of these conditions. However, weight reduction and consistent treatment of comorbidities, especially hypertension and atherogenic dyslipidemia, remain the basis of prevention of diabesity. Although the risk of CVD in diabesity is still significantly higher, consistent application of these procedures has led to a significant reduction in cardiovascular events and their consequences in this patient population over the last 15 years.

Keywords: diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, endothelial dysfunction, acute coronary syndromes and diabetes, prevention of cardiovascular diseases