Diabetes Dateline

New Fact Sheet on Hypertension and Kidney Disease

Hypertension is common in people with diabetes. Although the definition of hypertension for the general population is above 140/90, the goal for people with diabetes is below 130/80. Nearly three-fourths of adults with diabetes have blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/80 mm Hg or use prescription medications for hypertension. In addition, diabetes is the leading cause of treated end-stage renal disease, accounting for almost half of new cases. Therefore, all people with diabetes can potentially benefit from increased awareness of the relationship between high blood pressure and kidney disease.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has released a new publication in both English and Spanish versions. High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease outlines the relationship between hypertension and kidney disease by defining high blood pressure, reviewing symptoms and diagnostic criteria, and offering suggestions on preventing or delaying kidney damage. A section on the role of ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors in treating blood pressure and preventing or delaying kidney damage is included.

Single copies of this fact sheet are available free of charge. To order, call the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) at 1–800–891–5390. Or read it online at kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/highblood/index.htm. NIDDK's health information materials are a public service and are not copyrighted. Health care professionals are encouraged to duplicate them as handouts for their patients or as an insert for office or association newsletters.

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