Purpose of review: Blood pressure guidelines worldwide have changed their recommended blood pressure goals multiple times over the past decade due to an evolving understanding of the treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus. While it is evident through randomized trials that treatment of hypertension in diabetes mellitus prevents complications, the optimal blood pressure goal is not clear.
Recent findings: Post hoc analyses of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes-Blood Pressure (ACCORD-BP) trial, its long-term follow along study ACCORDION, and Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) suggest that patients with diabetes have a reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular events when aiming for more intensive blood pressure targets. High-quality data support guideline recommendations for more aggressive blood pressure targets in patients with diabetes mellitus. Reasoning for a return to more aggressive blood pressure goals in this at-risk population is discussed, and treatment strategies encompassing contemporary therapeutic options are recommended.
Keywords: Blood pressure; Diabetes mellitus; Guidelines; Hypertension.