Hypertension in type 2 diabetes - targeting angiotensin

doi:10.1136/dtb.2005.43641

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2005;43:41-45; doi:10.1136/dtb.2005.43641

Hypertension in type 2 diabetes - targeting angiotensin

Relevant BNF section: 2.5.5

Cardiovascular disease accounts for around 60% of deaths inpeople with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and diabetes is the leadingcause of renal dysfunction and premature death in the UK.^1,2A key factor in these outcomes is that many people with type2 diabetes also have raised blood pressure, which increasesthe likelihood of vascular complications.^3–5 Loweringelevated blood pressure, using one or more antihypertensivedrugs, reduces illness and mortality rates in such people.^6,7National guidelines advocate the use of angiotensin-convertingenzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor antagonistsin selected patients with type 2 diabetes.^3,8,9 Here we reviewwhether such treatment offers advantages over other antihypertensivedrugs.