Choice of Antihypertensive Therapy in Black Africans with type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The presence of elevated blood pressure amplifies the risk of early death and poor health related to type 2 diabetes. Lowering blood pressure (BP) however reduces this risk far more than tighter glucose control and appears independent of therapy adopted to lower BP. Measures such as reduced salt intake and low doses of aspirin and thiazide are effective in reducing blood pressure in many instances initially. Where this is not the case, Calcium channel blockers (CCB) can be added or combined with low dose thiazide to achieve greater control. However, in individuals not responding adequately to these measures or already presenting with diabetic complications, angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors (ACEIs) should be added, if response to CCB is either unsatisfactory or intolerable.

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 53 (1&2) 2008: pp. 11-14