Metformin and its cardiovascular effects

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and produces an enormous economic expense in society. There are multiple cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, including: tobacco, obesity, arterial hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus (DM). The latter is considered an independent factor for the development of CVD and heart failure (HF). As the prevalence of DM is increasing in the world; it does so, in parallel with the HF. Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, has been shown in preclinical and clinical studies to reduce CV events in patients with DM. Growing evidence suggests that metformin has a protective effect on the coronary artery beyond its hypoglycemic effects. Given its global availability, route of administration, and cost, metformin provides an additional and alternative therapeutic option for the primary and secondary prevention of CVD in DM and non-diabetics alike. It is a safe medication with beneficial effects on HbA1c, on weight reduction and also does not produce hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy. It is also known that metformin could have therapeutic benefit in both HF with preserved LVEF and HF with reduced LVEF. The objective of this review is to demonstrate the benefits of metformin in reducing CVD, in addition to confirming its safety and protection at the CV level.