Abstract
Hyperglycaemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The very close association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases has repeatedly been confirmed and led to a view that "diabetes is a cardiovascular disease".
More than 75% of patients with type 2 diabetes die from cardiovascular complications. Intensive hyperglycaemia treatment could play a role in preventing (or at least delaying) progression of macroangiopathic complications.
The main mechanisms of proatherogenic effects of hyperglycaemia are as follows: increased formation of free radicals, protein glycation and production of glycation end-products. The risk of elevated blood glucose levels begins at the stage of pre-diabetes and is mainly related to increased postprandial glycaemia levels.