Prevalence of self-reported cardiovascular disease among persons aged > or =35 years with diabetes--United States, 1997-2005.

Adults with diabetes are at greater risk for dying from heart disease than adults without diabetes. Heart disease and stroke account for approximately 65% of deaths among persons with diabetes. During 1997-2005, the age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the United States increased 43%, from 3.7% in 1997 to 5.3% in 2005. To assess trends in prevalence of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among persons with diabetes, CDC analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). This report summarizes the results of that assessment, which indicated that although the number of persons aged > or =35 years with diagnosed diabetes who reported having CVD increased 36% during 1997-2005, the age-adjusted prevalence decreased 11%; however, the decrease in CVD prevalence did not occur in all subpopulations with diabetes. The decrease in CVD prevalence indicates that the increase in the number of persons with diagnosed diabetes exceeded the increase in the number of persons with diagnosed diabetes who reported having a CVD. Continued interventions are needed to reduce modifiable CVD risk factors among persons with diabetes, better control diabetes, and decrease CVD prevalence further.