Taking the pressure off type 2 diabetes mellitus: implementing hypertension guidelines.
Successful treatment of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of many of the complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke, and retinopathy. Controlling blood pressure also protects against advancing renal disease, with several recent studies having clearly shown the advantage of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in slowing the progression of renal disease. Here, the authors review current guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and explore ways in which nurse practitioners can improve care for these patients.
Grubbs
Rebecca S
RS
Division of Nephrology, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA. grubbsr@vcu.edu
Sica
Domenic A
DA
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008019:Life Style; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012016:Reference Values