Problems in the treatment of the hypertensive diabetic patient

: Hypertension is much more common among diabetics than non-diabetics and particular care must be taken in treating both chronic pathologies. It is in fact vital to consider the effect antihypertensive drugs may have on diabetes and its complications. Hence the choice of anti-hypertensive drug for a patient with diabetes mellitus must be preceded by a careful study of the metabolic effects of that drug. An attempt is made to assess the interference by antihypertensive agents with glucose metabolism and to identify an appropriate treatment protocol for the patient with both arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.