AHA, HFSA: New Scientific Statement on Managing Diabetes, HF

Having a multidisciplinary team is key when managing patients with both diabetes mellitus and heart failure (HF), according to a new scientific statement released by the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America. 

In addition to how to best manage the 2 conditions in a patient, the statement also addresses the association between diabetes mellitus and HF as well as the need for future research.

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Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk for experiencing HF. And those who already have HF and who develop type 2 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. This new scientific statement comes as the prevalence of individuals with both conditions is expected to increase.

According to the 2 organizations, having a multidisciplinary team that includes experts like physicians, nurses, registered dieticians, and social workers can improve clinical outcomes in individuals with both diabetes mellitus and HF. Management approaches such as pharmacological therapies and lifestyle modifications were also stressed.

The epidemiology, pathophysiology, and impact of diabetes mellitus was described, as well, as was how the disease can impact on HF outcome. Lastly, the authors outlined what additional research is needed.

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Dunlay SM, Givertz MM, Aguilar D, et al. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America [published online June 6, 2019]. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000691.