From the Guidelines
For a patient with type 2 diabetes and hypertension with a 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk of 10.5%, the target blood pressure according to American Diabetes Association guidelines is less than 130/80 mmHg. This recommendation is based on the most recent and highest quality study, which suggests that patients with diabetes and high absolute cardiovascular risk may benefit from a more aggressive blood pressure target 1. The elevated 10-year ASCVD risk of 10.5% further supports this more aggressive target, as it indicates a higher risk of cardiovascular complications.
Key Considerations
- Patients with diabetes have a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular complications, and tighter blood pressure control has been shown to reduce these risks 1.
- The presence of low diastolic blood pressure is not necessarily a contraindication to more intensive blood pressure management in the context of otherwise standard care 1.
- Potential adverse effects of antihypertensive therapy, such as hypotension, syncope, falls, acute kidney injury, and electrolyte abnormalities, should be taken into account when initiating treatment 1.
Treatment Approach
- Treatment typically begins with lifestyle modifications, including reduced sodium intake, increased physical activity, weight management, and limited alcohol consumption.
- If these measures are insufficient, pharmacological therapy should be initiated, with first-line medications often including ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (like losartan), which offer additional renoprotective benefits for diabetic patients 1.
- Many patients will require multiple medications to achieve the target blood pressure, and regular monitoring of blood pressure, kidney function, and electrolytes is essential when implementing antihypertensive therapy, with follow-up recommended within 1 month of medication initiation or adjustment.
From the Research
Target Blood Pressure for Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines, the target blood pressure for patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension is less than 130/80 mmHg 2.
Considerations for 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk
For patients with a 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk of 10.5%, the ADA recommends a more intensive blood pressure control, with a target blood pressure of less than 120/80 mmHg in some cases, but this is not explicitly stated for a 10.5% risk 2.
Key Points to Consider
- The optimal blood pressure target for patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension is debated, but generally considered to be less than 130/80 mmHg 2.
- A 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk of 10.5% may require more intensive blood pressure control, but the exact target is not clearly defined in the provided studies.
- The associations of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with risk of major cardiovascular events were U-shaped, with the lowest risk observed at a SBP of 135-139 mmHg and a DBP of 74-76 mmHg 2.
- The management of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes is critical to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and may involve the use of multiple antihypertensive agents, including ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics 3, 4.
Blood Pressure Targets and Cardiovascular Risk
- The provided studies suggest that blood pressure targets should be individualized based on the patient's cardiovascular risk profile, with more intensive control recommended for those at higher risk 2.
- However, the exact blood pressure target for a patient with a 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk of 10.5% is not clearly defined in the provided studies.