SNOWMASS, COLO. — Optimal control of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes patients in the community setting remains an elusive goal, according to the most recent data from the Framingham Heart Study.
Individuals with diabetes have a two- to threefold greater rate of cardiovascular disease than do those without the disease. Aggressive control of their cardiovascular risk factors is essential to overcome this, but the Framingham experience show that it is not happening, Dr. Patrick O'Gara observed at a conference sponsored by the American College of Cardiology.
A bright spot is the low prevalence of cigarette smoking, down to just under 13% during 2000-2005 in 60-year-olds with diabetes. That's even lower than the 17% smoking rate among comparable-age individuals without diabetes, noted Dr. O'Gara of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.
Hypertension is another story altogether. The prevalence of hypertension among 60-year-olds with diabetes in 2000-2005 was 87%, more than twice that of nondiabetic individuals and essentially unchanged since 1970 (Circulation 2009;120:212-20).
Only 40% of diabetes patients with high LDL cholesterol had it controlled to guideline target levels in 2000-2005. That's better than the 32% rate among those without diabetes, but a far cry from what is required to erase the high excess cardiovascular risk, Dr. O'Gara noted.
The Framingham Heart Study is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Dr. O'Gara reported having no relevant financial interests.