World Diabetes Day (DM) has been established by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 14. It was chosen because it is the birthday of Frederick Banding who – in collaboration with Charles Best – conceived the idea that led to the discovery of insulin in October 1921.

The campaign aims to prevent and better manage diabetes, as well as the complications it causes, such as cardiovascular events, by informing the public about its causes, symptoms and treatment, reports the Hellenic Cardiology Society (HCA). In particular, the aim of the campaign is to improve the health, quality of life and well-being of patients with diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronically evolving metabolic disease with a multifactorial substrate characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance and lack of insulin, note Georgios Kochiadakis, president of EKE, professor of Cardiology, Konstantinos Toutouzas, vice president of EKE, professor of Cardiology, Ignatios Oikonomidis, Working Group on Heart and Diabetes of EKE, Professor of Cardiology..

It is etiologically classified into 4 categories, but two are its most frequent forms. Type 1 DM where no insulin is produced due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. It occurs more often in children and young adults. Type 2 DM affects the majority of sufferers and occurs mainly in adults. In type 2 DM there is insulin resistance and insulin deficiency is associated. The main cause of this type of DM is obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

In simple numbers:

537 million patients worldwide suffer from Diabetes Mellitus and 1 in 11 is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

In our country, more than 1 million people suffer from diabetes mellitus and “pre-diabetes” (impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose).

1/3 (33.5%) of patients in our country do not know that they suffer from diabetes and are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

People with Diabetes Mellitus have a 2-3 times greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

In the United States every 80 seconds a person with diabetes is hospitalized for cardiovascular disease.

Those living with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to die from heart disease (acute myocardial infarction, heart failure) or ischemic stroke compared to patients without diabetes.

Long-term complications, with more serious ones than cardiovascular

Cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and ischemic strokes.

diabetic nephropathy which can lead to kidney failure and hemodialysis

peripheral vasculopathy and neuropathy which can lead to ulcers – infections in the lower extremities (diabetic foot) and amputation

diabetic retinopathy which can lead to blindness.

The Heart and Diabetes Working Group of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology has organized special Clinics, with the close cooperation of cardiologists, endocrinologists and pathologists with diabetes expertise throughout the Greek territory for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes. Also, through various actions and in collaboration with municipal and state bodies, it tries to inform the public about the prevention of diabetes, but also of cardiovascular disease in patients who already suffer from diabetes mellitus or show a predisposition to the onset of diabetes mellitus.

The Heart and Diabetes Clinics, in addition to the optimal regulation of glycemia and metabolic disorders, aim to diagnose and treat comorbidities that predispose to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, as well as the best management after its occurrence. They also contribute substantially to the screening of individuals for the existence of diabetes mellitus and provide the possibility of easy access to multidisciplinary teams of doctors, providing the convenience of dealing with the complications of diabetes mellitus as a whole.

If you belong to one of the following groups, ask your doctor to check you for diabetes:

1. You are overweight or obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and additionally have at least one of the following factors:

-Family history of DM in 1st degree relatives (parents, siblings, children).

-History of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

-History of dyslipidemia (high triglycerides [>250 mg/dL]low HDL 35 mg/dL]).

-Polycystic ovary syndrome.

-Conditions associated with insulin resistance (eg acanthosis melanosis)

2. You have a history of prediabetes

3. You developed Diabetes Mellitus during pregnancy

4. You are over 45 years old

5. You have HIV infection.

If your screening results are normal, screening should be repeated at least every 3 years, with possible more frequent screening depending on initial findings and risk factors.

The treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

The treatment of Diabetes Mellitus is based, on the one hand, on lifestyle changes, and on the other hand, on appropriate medications. It aims to regulate metabolism and blood sugar, in order to avoid complications and especially cardiovascular events. Correct blood sugar regulation significantly reduces complications. Heart health and proper screening for early detection of cardiovascular complications is essential.

The newest drugs for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus are effective in regulating sugar while significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and complications.

To live well with diabetes and avoid complications, you must visit your doctor and cardiologist with the aim of:

• Settings your sugar

• Reduce your body weight if you are overweight or obese

• Stop smoking

• Follow a healthy and nutritious diet

• Exercise and walk daily for at least 30 minutes

• You check your blood pressure and regulate it medicinally if necessary

• You control your blood lipids and cholesterol

• You take the prescribed medicines according to the medical instructions