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Published on: March 20, 2017

Diabetes and hypertension: the bad companions

M Epstein1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida 33125, USA.

Journal of Hypertension. Supplement : Official Journal of the International Society of Hypertension
|March 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Diabetes and hypertension frequently coexist, increasing risks for cardiovascular and kidney disease. Managing blood pressure is crucial for reducing complications in diabetic patients, especially those with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are closely linked, significantly increasing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
  • Hypertension is twice as common in individuals with diabetes compared to the general population.
  • The co-occurrence of these conditions is rising due to an aging population and the increasing prevalence of age-related non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the interrelationship between diabetes and hypertension and their impact on cardiovascular and renal health.
  • To emphasize the significant contribution of hypertension to diabetic complications.
  • To guide future research towards antihypertensive agents that mitigate cardiovascular risk and slow diabetic renal disease progression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the comorbidity of diabetes and hypertension.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data on the prevalence of coexisting diabetes and hypertension.
  • Examination of the role of diabetic nephropathy in hypertension development.

Main Results:

  • An estimated 35-75% of cardiovascular and renal complications in diabetic patients are attributable to hypertension.
  • Essential hypertension is the predominant form in diabetic individuals, particularly those with NIDDM (over 90% of dual diagnoses).
  • Diabetic nephropathy is a key factor in hypertension development, affecting one-third of insulin-dependent diabetes patients and 20% of NIDDM patients after 15 years.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension is a major contributor to the progression of cardiovascular and renal complications in patients with diabetes mellitus.
  • Effective blood pressure management is critical for improving outcomes in diabetic patients.
  • Further research is needed to identify antihypertensive therapies that offer dual benefits: blood pressure reduction and protection against cardiovascular and renal disease progression.

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