Intensive blood pressure lowering treatment may harm some people with diabetes

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-02/uu-ibp022316.php

Public Release: 24-Feb-2016
Intensive blood pressure lowering treatment may harm people with diabetes
Umea University

People with diabetes often have high blood pressure and an increased cardiovascular risk. They are therefore often recommended more intensive blood pressure lowering treatment that non-diabetics. However, for patients with systolic blood pressure levels under 140, antihypertensive drugs may increase the risk of dying from cardiovascular causes. This according to a study at Umeå University in Sweden published in the BMJ.

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"At the same time, it is important to remember that blood pressure lowering treatment is crucial for the majority of people with diabetes whose blood pressure measures above 140."

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The study shows that the effects of antihypertensive treatment depend on the blood pressure level of the patient before treatment. If the systolic blood pressure before treatment was higher than 140 mm Hg, treatment was associated with a decreased risk of death, stroke, heart attack and heart failure. If the systolic blood pressure before treatment was less than 140 mm Hg, however, the risk of cardiovascular death increased. The results are nearly exclusively based upon data from patients with type 2 diabetes and previous antihypertensive treatment. Therefore, no conclusions can be made on patients with type 1 diabetes or patients with diabetes and normal blood pressure levels.

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