Know Diabetes by Heart

ype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors (eg, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia), heart failure, and stroke and stroke-related conditions have become ever more manageable given research advances that have resulted in new medications and better treatment options.1,2 Nonetheless, a gap exists between what has been achieved and what more could be accomplished to improve cardiometabolic health and to reduce the incidence of myocardial infarctions, heart failure, and strokes and cardiovascular and stroke mortality among individuals with T2DM.Mortality rates resulting from T2DM, CVD, and stroke have been decreasing over the past 2 to 3 decades.2 Admittedly, the rates of decrease seem to have plateaued, and CVD, stroke, and diabetes mellitus continue to be among the top 10 causes of death in the United States.CVD mortality remains the leading cause of death; stroke is in the fifth position; and diabetes mellitus is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.3 Furthermore, the risk of CVD mortality is higher among individuals with diabetes mellitus compared with those who do not have diabetes mellitus.1 However, we also know that despite research advances, residual risk remains between those with diabetes mellitus and those without the disease.There is little doubt that improved treatment approaches, use of the most up-todate treatment guidelines, and new medications have contributed to the current US health status landscape related to CVD, stroke, and diabetes mellitus mortality; nevertheless, although some population trends have contributed in a positive way, other trends may challenge cardiometabolic health gains.The reduction in smoking among Americans over the past 5 decades has contributed to the reduction in CVD mortality and has paralleled and complemented improvement in treatment of CVD, stroke, and diabetes mellitus.1,2 On the other hand, in addition to the aging of the population, overweight and obesity rates have been increasing in the United States over the past 2 to 3 decades 1,2 and may be factors in the plateauing of mortality rates resulting from CVD and stroke, portending a possible surge in the incidence and prevalence of T2DM and a reversal of mortality trends in the United States.Clearly, when we see increases in obesity rates in regions of the country, we see increasing rates of diabetes mellitus.The convergence of epidemiological trends, new scientific insights, and emerging cardioprotective glucose-lowering medications set the stage for Know Diabetes by Heart, the joint initiative of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to optimize the cardiometabolic health of individuals with T2DM.1,4 As a true collaboration, Know Diabetes by Heart leverages the resources, expertise, and unique strengths of both organizations.The collaboration expects to deliver more than AHA or ADA could expect to do on its own to achieve the common objective of saving lives by reducing CVD mortality in