Is hyperglycemia a cardiovascular risk factor?

Patients with diabetes show an increased vascular morbidity and mortality that reduces their life expectancy by ~5–15 years (depending on the age at diagnosis). There is convincing evidence from epidemiological and pathophysiological studies that hyperglycemia per se is largely responsible for the harmful effects of the disease. As recently shown by clinical trials, treatment of this condition may reduce cardiovascular events and mortality, and several therapies should be considered: initiating early and individualized treatment and avoiding hypoglycemia.