Cardiovascular therapies and risk for development of diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing, and patients with diabetes are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Recently, the results from 11 large randomized clinical trials have suggested a difference in the emergence of new diabetes according to cardiovascular medication use. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and calcium antagonists yielded a lower incidence of diabetes development than beta-blockers and diuretics. Physicians should consider this possible diabetes consequence when prescribing long-term beta-blockers and diuretics, particularly in patients at high risk of developing diabetes.