Antihypertensive Benefits in Diabetic Patients Are Limited to Those with Systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg

Although lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetes can lower risk for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events, the BP level at which antihypertensive treatment should be initiated is unclear. In this meta-analysis of 49 randomized, controlled trials (12 unpublished), researchers assessed the effects of antihypertensive treatment at different baseline systolic BPs on death and adverse CV outcomes in people with diabetes. The trials involved 74,000 diabetic participants (predominantly with type 2 diabetes) who were treated for ≥12 months. Comparisons included antihypertensive drug versus placebo, two drugs versus one drug, or different BP targets.

If baseline systolic BP was ≥150 mm Hg, antihypertensive treatment significantly lowered …