[Hypertension and diabetes]

Abstract

Hypertension frequently accompanies diabetes mellitus, as it is present in 50% of diabetic patients. Hypertension can sometimes preceed diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance plays a major role in the hypertensive risk. In type 1 diabetes, nephropathy is often noted as soon as hypertension is present. Both hypertension and diabetes increase the risk for cardiovascular and renal complications. For their prevention, first of all, modification of the diet with increasing exercise must be proposed, associated to antihypertensive agents with a blood pressure target lower than 130/80 mmHg. Renin-angiotensin blockers constitute the main drug therapy in such patients associated with diuretics or betablocker if angina pectoris is present or even calcium channel blocker when large arteries abnormalities exist. A frequent evaluation of the cardiovascular risk is required together with research of renal dysfunction or microproteinuria.