[Antihypertensive drugs in diabetic's hypertension]

Hypertension is defined by the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) as blood pressure (BP) > or =Y130/80 mmHg. It affects up to 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes and is twice as prevalent in diabetics as in non-diabetics. Due to its contribution to renal and cardiovascular disease, hypertension increases diabetic mortality four to five-fold. Therefore, a BP goal of 130/80 mmHg or less (125/75 mmHg in patients with proteinuria >1 g/die and increased creatinemia), is recommended. For isolated systolic hypertension, defined as a systolic BP > or =Y180 mmHg with normal diastolic BP, the treatment goal is to reduce systolic BP to <160 mmHg. The evidence from most trials suggests that there are only minimal differences between the various antihypertensive drugs, and that almost all agents are capable of successfully reducing adverse clinical events. Nevertheless, there is evidence that certain drugs are more useful in preventing damage to a specific organ system; and therefore, the selection of the therapy should be guided by the presence of concomitant disease and the protection of the organ system that is most at risk. Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are effective antianginals; diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers are useful for heart failure; ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are especially effective in preserving renal function. Adequate BP control, irrespective of the type of antihypertensive drugs used, should replace the academic debate on what is the best antihypertensive agent.