The connection between hypertension and diabetes and their role in heart and kidney disease development

Abstract

Hypertension and diabetes are two common metabolic disorders that often coexist in the same individual. Their concurrence increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, renal dysfunction, and other complications. Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with diabetes, and hypertension further aggravates this condition. Interestingly, hypertension and diabetes share several common pathophysiological mechanisms including insulin resistance, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, obesity, and oxidative stress suggesting a cross-talk between these two conditions that could potentially contribute to the development of other human diseases. Effective management of diabetes should include a multifaceted approach that addresses not only glycemic control but also blood pressure (BP) and lipid control. Treatment plans should be individualized to each patient's needs and should involve a combination of lifestyle modifications and medications to achieve optimal control. With the availability of newer antidiabetic medications such as SGLT inhibitors and GLP1 receptor agonists, it is crucial to consider their potential to reduce BP, enhance kidney function, and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases when initiating treatment for glycemic control. A more profound comprehension of the shared underlying mechanisms between these conditions could pave the way for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to tackle them. Our review offers an in-depth analysis of the literature, providing a holistic view of the mechanisms underlying diabetes-hypertension comorbidity and its implications on heart and kidney diseases. The present article concludes by discussing current approaches for managing hypertensive diabetic patients to create a set of comprehensive individualized recommendations.

Keywords: Blood pressure; cardiovascular disease; coronary heart disease; diabetes; guidelines; hypertension; interaction; stroke.