New data revealed that nearly 100 percent (99%) of 200 U.S. primary care physicians surveyed agree that heart disease and stroke are the number one cause of death and disability among type 2 diabetes patients; however, almost 40 percent (36%) of these physicians underestimate the number of patients who die from cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, while people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than people without diabetes, the survey, conducted by Harris Interactive and supported by Merck, found only one out of five (21%) patients (n=664) listed heart attack or heart failure as their biggest worry regarding diabetes complications, and even fewer patients (7%) listed stroke.  To view Multimedia News Release, go to