Cardiovascular risk reduction in diabetes: underemphasised and overdue. Messages from major trials.

Diabetes markedly increases the risk of coronary artery disease and death, but is underrecognised as a cardiovascular risk factor, despite the existence of effective treatments. Because patients with diabetes are at high risk for coronary disease, they have more to gain from prevention. There is evidence from clinical trials that select cardiovascular therapies may work better in diabetes, beyond their expected benefit, and may prevent diabetes itself.