[Hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus]

It is well known that diabetes often induces macrovascular and microvascular complications, and hypertension is also considered to be an important risk factor for macrovascular events. Recent epidemiological studies have proved the possibility that hypertension among patients with diabetes greatly increases the risks of these complications. However, the impact of hypertension on stroke and microvascular complications is considered to be greater than that on coronary heart disease. Co-existent metabolic risk factors such as hyperlipidemia rather than hypertension may affect more coronary heart disease. Antihypertensive treatment among diabetic patients is expected to reduce various complications, but management of metabolic risk factors is also needed to prevent coronary heart disease.