Abstract: A method and kit of evaluating a risk of a diabetic patient to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) is disclosed. The method comprises determining a haptoglobin phenotype of the diabetic patient and thereby evaluating the risk of the diabetic patient to develop the cardiovascular disease (CVD), wherein the risk is decreased in diabetic patients with haptoglobin 1-1 phenotype as compared to patients with haptoglobin 1-2 or haptoglobin 2-2 phenotypes. The risk is also decreased in diabetic patients with haptoglobin 1-2 phenotype as compared to patients with haptoglobin 2-2 phenotype. The kit comprises packaged reagents for determining a haptoglobin phenotype of the diabetic patient and the kit is identified for use in evaluating a risk of a diabetic patient to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD).