Antihypertensive Drug Treatment in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Hypertension is present in more than 70% of diabetic patients. Appropriate antihypertensive treatment has been convincingly shown to reduce the two major sequels of hypertension and diabetes cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. However, this has been shown primarily with the conventional antihypertensive treatment consisting mainly of Diuretics and ß-blockers. Knowledge about the effects of the newer antihypertensive compounds, like ACE-Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers, on valid clinical and points is limited. However, for these agents possible metabolic, nephro- and angioprotective advantages have been repeatedly proposed. In this article we analyse the existing evidence of the conventional treatment versus newer antihypertensive agents with regard to their efficacy in reducing morbidity and mortality and also possible side effects in the treatment of hypertensive diabetic patients.