HYPERTENSION IS a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. If not properly managed they are likely to end up with diabetes with subsequent high risk of kidney damage, said Padmashri & Dr. B.C. Roy National Awardee,  Dr. KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India.

The results of the anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial-Blood Pressure Lowering Arm (ASCOT-BPLA) study has shown that the major predictor of new-onset diabetes (NOD) in patients with hypertension is high baseline fasting plasma glucose levels of more than 90mg%. The risk increases by 5.8 times for each 18mg% rise above 90 mg%.

Other risk factors are higher weight, higher blood pressure and higher triglyceride levels. Apart those high BP patients taking the drugs atenolol (beta blocker drug) regimen with or without a diuretic are also at risk.

On the other hand high BP patients on amlodipine (calcium blocker) ± perindopril (ACE inhibitor), with high good HDL cholesterol levels, moderate alcohol use, and age older than 55 years had protection from developing diabetes.