Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes. These flashcards are designed to help pharmacists and healthcare professionals quickly recall the comprehensive strategies outlined in the 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines—from vascular protection medications to lifestyle interventions—to aggressively lower morbidity and mortality.
Key Topics Covered:
Risk Assessment: Differentiating between proximate (<10 years) and lifetime risk, particularly for younger patients who may have a high relative risk despite low short-term absolute risk.
The “ABCDEs” Strategy: Memorizing the components of comprehensive vascular protection: A1C, Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Drugs, Exercise/Healthy Eating, Screening for complications, and Smoking cessation.
Lipid Management: Recalling the specific indications for statin therapy and the primary target of LDL-C 2.0 mmol/L (or >50% reduction).
Cardioprotective Agents: Identifying the specific roles of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in reducing major cardiovascular events (MACE) and heart failure hospitalization.
Antiplatelet Therapy: Understanding the nuances of aspirin use for secondary prevention versus the limited indications for primary prevention.