Lowering Blood Pressure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Lower 10-Year Mortality

A meta-analysis clarifies the benefit, especially for patients with baseline systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg.

The idea that lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients with type 2 diabetes will prevent cardiovascular (CV)-related mortality generally is accepted by clinicians. In this meta-analysis, researchers combined 40 high-quality clinical trials (>100,000 participants) to evaluate the magnitude of that benefit, to identify subgroups most likely to benefit, and to assess the effects of various classes of antihypertensive drugs.

Among their findings are the following:

A 10-mm Hg reduction in systolic BP was associated with 11% to 27% reduction in relative risk for all-cause mortality, adverse CV events, albuminuria, retinopathy, and stroke.
Absolute risk reduction from a 10-mm Hg drop in systolic BP was about 2 to 4 events per 1000 patient-years for m…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Lowering Blood Pressure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Lower 10-Year Mortality

Topics

Reviewing Author