Antihypertensives are medications used primarily to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). They are often prescribed for diabetic patients. About 60 percent of people with diabetes also have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a major contributor to the development of the kidney disease diabetic nephropathy, atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”), heart conditions, stroke and eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Because patients with diabetes have a higher risk of these disorders, it is especially important to diagnose and treat even mild hypertension.

People with diabetes whose blood pressure is 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or greater are considered to have high blood pressure and should be treated accordingly, according to the National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association (in nondiabetics, this reading would be considered prehypertensive). In addition, some diabetic patients with normal blood pressure are prescribed antihypertensives to treat or prevent complications such as kidney disease.

Although some patients do not need to take medication to control their high blood pressure, anyone who is prescribed medication needs to take it exactly as prescribed to avoid the serious medical problems associated with the condition.

People taking antihypertensives are also encouraged to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, losing weight and getting regular exercise. Furthermore, they are encouraged to speak with their physician before taking any prescription medications, such as opioids, or over-the-counter medications, such as diet pills.

People with high blood pressure are urged to be patient as the type and level of their medication are adjusted for optimal results. This is especially important because the vast majority of patients have no symptoms, making hypertension the “silent killer.” There are a wide variety of antihypertensives and combinations of different medications that are available, and it may take time before the ideal treatment has been found and finely tuned to the patient’s needs.

Other uses of antihypertensives include treatment of hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, chest pain, prostate enlargement, headaches and diabetes insipidus.