Management of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus: advances in the evidence for intensive treatment

Diabetes mellitus is common in patients with hypertension, and greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. The pharmacologic therapy of patients with hypertension and diabetes has been surrounded by controversy because of concerns about the metabolic effects of several antihypertensive agents, as well as concerns about the safety of calcium antagonists. The objective of this review is to re-evaluate the management of diabetic patients with hypertension in light of the latest clinical trials. We also review the importance of intensive blood pressure control in these patients.