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Diabetes is one of the most common medical illnesses, with a 12% prevalence among the US population 18 years or older. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), encompassing a broad array of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, is the most common cause of mortality among the US adult population. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) encompasses the spectrum of coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease, aortic atherosclerosis, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). ASCVD and diabetes are closely linked with each other. Due to the sheer burden of these diseases, there are national guidelines for screening, prevention, diagnosis, and secondary prevention of complications. This activity will discuss briefly screening and early management of diabetes by an interprofessional team. Objectives: Identify risk factors for developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease among adults. Outline screening recommendations for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in primary care. Review national guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Explain adverse outcomes in the affected population. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are among the most common morbidities in the US. They share many common risk factors, and management of one depends on the presence/absence of the other. The prevalence of CVD (meaning hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke) is 49% overall in US adults age 20 years or older, and 40% of these are isolated hypertension.[1] Similarly, the prevalence of diabetes is 12% among US adults aged 18 years or older. Metabolic syndrome, which is a risk factor for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is 34% prevalent in US adults. Overweight and obesity (defined as BMI ≥ 25kg/m^2) are 71% prevalent in US adults. National attention from the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute of Health, and the Department of Health and Human Services are engaged in efforts to reduce the burden of these diseases.

For effective management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, a multidisciplinary approach is needed. Lifestyle modifications including a healthy diet, exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, and reduction of alcohol intake are the cornerstone of this approach. Ensuring medication compliance is another issue to be addressed. Dietary education, diabetes education, physical therapy, specialist physicians, primary care doctors, and social workers should work in tandem to improve outcomes.