137407 - Heart-smart approaches to diabetes management

There continues to be a high degree of interest amongst HCPs on how to optimise glycaemic control for all patients/levels of beta cell function while reducing hypoglycaemia events and cardiovascular risk. Recent clinical evidence suggests that specific medications may have unique properties that may accomplish this unique goal. GPs are becoming more aware of this data but are not necessarily acting upon it. In this module, GPs will review the benefits of individualising diabetes treatment protocols based on patients’ HbA1C, presence of cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities.

Macrovascular complications are the primary cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes patients, with myocardial infarction and stroke accounting for 80% of deaths. Assessment of cardiovascular risk is therefore a vital part of diabetes care and can be determined either clinically or with an evidence-based tool.