Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Endocrinology and metabolism

Diabetes and heart failure: the deadly duo

Bryan Wai, Piyush M Srivastava, Louise M Burrell
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for the development of heart failure. Diabetes and heart failure commonly coexist and adversely affect the prognosis of the other. Patients with diabetes have a high prevalence of risk factors for heart failure, with coronary artery disease and hypertension being the most important.
Key Points
  • Type 2 diabetes is one of Australia’s fastest growing chronic diseases and is a major risk factor for the development of heart failure.
  • Treatment of systolic heart failure in people with diabetes follows the same principles as for those without diabetes.
  • Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of diastolic heart failure, but the optimal management for this condition remains unknown.
  • Trials are underway to investigate the cardiovascular safety of the newer glucose lowering therapies, such as the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues and the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.
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