It is not news to hear that cardiovascular disease is a prominent cause of death in our society. Neither is it unusual to hear how Americans are gaining weight, are less active and are more stressed out.

What is new is to learn that Alaskans have a true partner in the fight against heart attacks, strokes and the complications of diabetes. Starting June 1, Diabetic Consultants of Alaska will open its doors and lead the fight against cardiovascular disease. Diabetic Consultants of Alaska, in mid-town Anchorage, will spearhead fundamental changes in the way that we as patients and physicians treat these three diseases. As a result of improved health Alaskans will help to reverse the trend of higher cardiovascular death seen in years past.

Anchoring this new clinic is Dr. Ross Tanner. He is a board-certified internist with a specialty in treating diabetes, cholesterol defects and high blood pressure. Dr. Tanner is a national-level speaker on both diabetes and cholesterol problems and has many credits to his name. He is the most recent medical director of the Boldt Diabetes Center, the Northwest States Osteopathic Physician of the Year (2004) and he was honored by the Governor of Washington to serve on the State Medical Board. While achieving at the highest level of academia, Dr. Tanner remains active in community life.

In the Olympia, Washington area he was the volunteer medical director of the Neighborhood Free Medical Clinic for uninsured patients. Dr. Tanner stands to be a great contributor to our community as well.

Diabetic Consultants of Alaska uses the latest advances in diagnostic testing to detect, treat and monitor cardiovascular disease. The aggressive detection and management of diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension results in people actually living longer.

U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000 indicates the diagnosis of diabetes at the age of 40 results in a significant reduction in lifespan with conventional treatment. There is a loss of more than 11 years of life for men and more than 14 years of life for women.

This is a preventable loss of life and represents the primary focus of DCAÑ"We Make You Live Longer." This clinic represents the first and only center dedicated to diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure treatment. For more information about what good care looks like, or to get more information about diabetes in general, go to www.diabetic-consultants.com. Excellence in cardiovascular care is coming to Alaska in June.