This review summarizes the current understanding of the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The majority of patients with diabetes die from cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and the presence of diabetes is one of the strongest predictors of mortality in patients with established cardiovascular disease. This páper aims to provide guidance to generál practitioners to identify individuals at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It also summarizes the principles of prevention and treatment for these patients

        Key words: diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, mortality, prognosis, prevention.