Cardiovascular protection in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Considerations about the tightness of blood pressure control and the choice of treatment

Diabetes mellitus is rapidly evolving as the epidemic of the 21st century. The presently estimated number of 190 million is predicted to grow to over 300 million by the year 2025. Cardiovascular (CVD) morbidity and mortality is two to five times higher in diabetics, while the microvascular complications considerably compromise the quality of life. The main risk factors for CVD, as well as for microangiopathy, are hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, endothelial dysfunction, and an inflammatory vascular reaction. This review will focus on hypertension, which develops in most patients within the first 10-15 years of their diabetes. The discussion will encompass the criteria for treatment, the target values of blood pressure, and the choice of antihypertensive drugs as primary agents and in various combinations. The special role of angiotensin-receptor blockers will be highlighted, with an emphasis on cardioprotection, risk reduction of stroke, and attenuation of the course of nephropathy.