Hyperglycemia besides typical changes of lipids, especially of LDL and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, arterial hypertension and smoking is another factor causing greater morbidity and mortality of diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease. Significant association was found between the insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Some studies evaluating the tight relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are selected in this overview and they demonstrate the necessity of the complex therapeutic and preventive approaches.

        Key words: Hyperglycemia - Insulin resistance - Cardiovascular disease