Author Description

Since the 1960s we have learned that cardiovascular complications and diabetes mellitus are closely intertwined: type 2 diabetes increases the likelihood of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and accelerated vascular disease. Thus the growing pandemic of diabetes worldwide is responsible for increasing death and disability from atherosclerotic vascular disease, the number one cause of death today. This publication spells out the enormity of the problem and the demographic forces at play. In the first part of the book the fundamental mechanisms responsible for vascular involvement in diabetes at the genetic, molecular, tissue, organ and organismal levels are described. The second part provides a detailed description of the various clinical aspects and the currently available therapeutic and preventive measures for diabetes, such as lifestyle changes, angiotensin II receptor blockers, biguanides and fibrates.