Heart Disease and Diabetes

The Practical Cardiology™ Heart Disease and Diabetes clinical resource center offers readers the latest in the field of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. With the field of cardiometabolic health becoming a focal point in the fight against cardiovascular disease, this page will host content related to the latest FDA approvals, studies, guideline update, and clinical perspectives from advisory board members.

Hypertension, Albuminuria Common Among Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes

May 08, 2021

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining pediatric type 2 diabetes indicate hypertension or albuminuria was present among approximately 20% of children with type 2 diabetes.

Bariatric Surgery Linked to Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Death, Adverse Events in Patients with T2D

May 06, 2021

An analysis of claims data from more than 7k patients suggests patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes who underwent bariatric surgery experienced a 68% reduction in cardiac mortality and 34% reduction in cardiac events compared against standard medical management.

Patient Race, Income Play Roles in Likelihood of Receiving SGLT2 Inhibitor Prescription

April 18, 2021

Results of a new study from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrate significant racial inequities exist in access to SGLT2 inhibitor treatment among patients with diabetes in the US.

Dapagliflozin Reduces Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Patients, Regardless of Baseline Kidney Function

April 14, 2021

An analysis of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial indicates the cardiovascular benefit of dapagliflozin use in patients with diabetes was consistent regardless of baseline kidney function and suggests the effects could be independent of glucose reduction.

CLARIFY: Diabetes Poses Major Risk in Patients with Coronary Syndromes

April 13, 2021

An analysis of the CLARIFY registry is providing clinicians with further insight into the impact of diabetes in patients with chronic coronary syndromes, particularly the increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death.

Risk Factor Prevalence Dangerously High, Poorly Controlled in Hispanic/Latino Adults

March 04, 2021

An analysis of data from more than 16k Hispanic/Latino individuals indicates the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among those with a history of stroke/TIA was greater than previously thought and many are unaware of these risk factors.

AHA Study Links 4 Major Conditions to More than 60% of COVID-19 Hospitalizations

February 25, 2021

An analysis using data from the CDC, COVID-NET, and the COVID Tracking Project suggests nearly 2 out of 3 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US were attributable to obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure.

AHA Report: Obesity Responsible for Half of New US Diabetes Cases

February 13, 2021

A recent study from Northwestern University suggests 30-53% of all new diabetes cases in the United States were directly attributable to obesity.

Medicare Patients Less Likely to be Prescribed GLP-1RAs, SGLT2 Inhibitors than Commercially Insured

February 10, 2021

Data from an analysis of nearly 400k older patients suggests Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were less likely than their counterparts with commercial insurance to be prescribed newer glucose-lowering agents such as GLP-1RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors.

Health Coach-Based Primary Care Programs Linked to Reduced Cardiovascular Risk

February 09, 2021

An intervention implementing the use of a health coach in a primary care setting based on the 2013 AHA/ACC/Task Force for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults guidelines was associated with greater weight loss and improvements in blood glucose levels and HDL-C compared to usual care.