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Introducing the 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines Tool Kit

Theme #1: Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Reduction

The CPG Tool Kit for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada is a handy reference for healthcare professionals which bundles a comprehensive collection of the six major themes from the 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada—diabetes and cardiovascular disease; footcare; organization of care, pregnancy and children; lifestyle and physical activity; and access to and promotion of educational services.


The first of these themes—Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Reduction—focuses on key elements from the 2008 Guidelines regarding cardiovascular risk factors and recommendations for reducing cardiovascular risk. Heart disease is currently the number one cause of death for Canadians living with diabetes. As such, the information included in this first instalment of the CPG Tool Kit emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and management of diabetes and its associated cardiovascular risk factors.

Released in June 2009, the Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Reduction theme, contains a number of current, evidence-based clinical recommendations and clinically-oriented practical information about diabetes and cardiovascular risks of value to both patients and physicians, including:

  • a short synopsis of the key information on cardiovascular risk from the Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines;
  • a clinical tool (laminated two-sided card) with an algorithm to assist healthcare professionals with risk assessment, vascular protection, and screening; and
  • a patient-focused tool to help Canadians living with diabetes better understand the risks of cardiovascular disease.


Also, healthcare professionals will learn:

  • the major changes to the vascular protection recommendations from the 2003 Clinical Practice Guidelines;
  • how to identify individuals at high risk of vascular events;
  • how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events; and
  • what coronary artery disease screening tests should be done.

“When it comes to treatment of people living with and at risk of diabetes, the best, most currently available knowledge is critical for successful health outcomes,” said Ellen Malcolmson, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. “That’s why we encourage all healthcare professionals to integrate the 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines Tool Kit into their daily practice.”

Later in 2009, Canadian healthcare professionals will receive materials relating to the second theme of the CPG Tool Kit: Organization of Care.

To order copies of the CPG Tool Kit, please visit our online order desk.

Related Resources:


High Risk - a tool to help you identify patients in your practice at high risk for a vascular event.

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes – a quick reference of selected key points on prevention and management of diabetes from the Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines.

What’s Up? - a quick reference of selected key points on prevention and management of diabetes from the Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Cardiovascular Self-Assessment Tool - to help your patients identify their level of risk.

2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines – read chapter-by-chapter online or order a copy today!

News Release: 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines

The Canadian Journal of Diabetes - subscribe today!