If you are a type 2 diabetic, you might like to maintain your blood pressure below 140/70 mm Hg but keeping your diastolic blood pressure above 70mm Hg. This can reduce your chance of having a heart attack, according to the results of a study reported online in the November 8 issue of Diabetes Care, 2010.
The results came from the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial, which included 1,791 participants with hypertension. All participants were given either a standard glycemic treatment group or an intensive glycemic treatment group to achieve a blood pressure goal of lower than 130/80 mm Hg. The investigators evaluated the association between blood pressure levels and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
While it was not surprised to see an increase in cardiovascular risk with a systolic blood pressure over 140mmHg (HR=1.508), the investigators were stunned to find an increase in cardiovascular risk with diastolic blood pressure less than 70mm. (HR =1.482)
The investigators believed that there might be a negative effect of excessively lowering the diastolic blood pressure and that physicians should try to avoid lowering the diastolic blood pressure in their patients below 70mm Hg.
Diabetes Care. Published online November 8, 2010.
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