Blood Pressure Variability and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) has been found to significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the non-diabetic population. The prognostic importance of increased BPV for the development of micro- and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes has been investigated. Type 2 diabetes can increase BPV through different mechanisms, including increased arterial stiffness and autonomic dysfunction. Several studies in type 2 diabetic patients showed inconclusive results regarding all-cause mortality, microvascular complication, and extended major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). However, some trials showed that BPV might be regarded as a potentially important therapeutic target in the management of type 2 diabetes regarding MACE. For now, the primary goal of antihypertensive treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes shall remain to controll mean blood pressure levels. However, when future studies show consistent results, BPV might be regarded as a therapeutic target in type 2 diabetic patients.