Background:The prevalence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is estimated to 2-4% in the general population in most European countries. DM is associated with an increased frequency of manifest atherosclerotic disease. Data from prospective studies demonstrate that the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in diabetic patients with no prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD) is equivalent to the risk observed in non-diabetics ACS survivors. Most diabetic patients die from CAD. Although DM is primarily a metabolic disorder, it imposes a tremendous burden on macro- and micro-vessel disease.The important question of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in DM remains unanswered.