Should SGLT-2 Inhibitors Be Counted as Antihypertensive Medications?

SGLT-2 inhibitors have modest but clinically significant blood pressure–lowering effects that are pronounced in patients with resistant hypertension.

Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and lower risk for adverse cardiovascular events, worsening heart failure, and chronic kidney disease progression. Although SGLT-2 inhibitors are not classified as antihypertensive agents, they have modest blood pressure (BP)–lowering properties via a combination of effects involving diuresis, weight loss, and lower sympathetic nerve activity. In this retrospective cohort study of ≈13,000 adults in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California system who already were using drug therapy for hypertension, researchers examined the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors — primarily prescribed for diabetes management — on BP and antihypertensive medicat…

Reviewing Author

Jennifer L. Cluett, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportAmerican Heart Association; NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; NIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Editorial BoardsHypertension

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Heart Association (President of the Greater Boston Board of Directors)

Jennifer L. Cluett, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportAmerican Heart Association; NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; NIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Editorial BoardsHypertension

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Heart Association (President of the Greater Boston Board of Directors)

Should SGLT-2 Inhibitors Be Counted as Antihypertensive Medications?

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Reviewing Author