How to cure hypertension in patients with prediabetes or diabetes?
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Hello, a 59-year-old man with type 2 diabetes presents with concerns about high blood pressure (BP). At a recent visit to his dentist he was told his BP was high. He was reclining in the dentist’s chair when his BP was taken, but he doesn’t remember the exact reading. He has no symptoms. He has never taken medications for high BP. He takes metformin for type 2 diabetes. His BP is measured once at 146/95 mm Hg in the left arm while sitting. Physical exam is unremarkable except for obesity. EKG is unremarkable
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@alaap Controlling BP in patients with diabetes reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, but the available data are not sufficient to classify this patient with respect to BP status. The reading taken while reclining in the dentist’s chair was likely inaccurate. A single reading in the medical clinic, even with correct technique, is not adequate for clinical decision-making because individual BP measurements vary in unpredictable or random ways. It is recommended that one use an average of 2 to 3 readings, separated by 1 to 2 minutes, obtained on 2 to 3 separate visits. Some of those readings should be performed outside of the clinical setting, either with home BP self-monitoring or 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, especially when confirming the diagnosis of sustained hypertension. Note that a clinic BP of 140/90 corresponds to home BP values of 135/85. Multiple BP readings in the clinic and at home allow for classification into one of the following categories
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