New Insights into the Combined Burden of Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes are very common medical conditions that often occur in combination. A large amount of clinical trial data has proven the significance of improving blood pressure (BP) in type 2 diabetic patients in order to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, diabetic nephropathy and end-stage renal disease. The goal BP for all type 2 diabetics should be below 130/80 mm Hg, and below 125/75 mm Hg in subjects with significant proteinuria. Most investigators agree that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors should be the first-line agents because of their cardioprotective effects. In the end, it may be that the specific drug choice has less overall importance than the actual attainment of adequate BP control. Treatment of hypertension in type 2 diabetics will often require multiple agents to achieve the goal BP.