The emergence of cardiodiabetology

Abstract

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and its complications [i.e. heart attacks, strokes, peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and heart failure (HF)] are the key causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) 1. Cardiodiabetology focuses on both the science and the clinical management strategies aimed to reduce the associated risks and treat the cardiovascular consequences in patients with diabetes. Cardiodiabetology emphasizes a close collaboration between not only the clinical endocrinologist-diabetologist and cardiologist, but encompasses multidisciplinary diabetes treatment experts, including nephrologists, exercise physiologists, nutrition experts, podiatrists, cardio-thoracic and other vascular surgeons, primary care physicians, as well as the scientists involved in studying the connection between diabetes and ASCVD. In this very brief commentary, it is suggested that an interactive cardiodiabetology collaboration, focusing on both scientific discoveries and clinical management strategies, can ultimately reduce risks, in the primary prevention, or delay, of chronic complications, or optimally treat the ASCVD consequences, to, ultimately, improve patient outcomes, quality of life, and longevity in persons with diabetes.