Target Audience
This program is specifically designed for primary care physicians, family physicians, internist, nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and pharmacists.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Discuss the pathophysiology of hypertension in diabetes
- Examine clinical trials of hypertension treatment in patients with diabetes and the impact of these trials on guidelines
- Identify management strategies for patients with diabetes and hypertension
Description
Hypertension is a common comorbid condition of diabetes, affecting the majority of people with diabetes. Hypertension is also a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and microvascular complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy.
The primary purpose of this program is to educate primary care physicians and health professionals about the relationship between hypertension and diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and patient self-management education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Though hypertension is not a direct result of diabetes or vice versa, the combination of diabetes and hypertension in an individual can often be debilitating and/or fatal. Hypertension can easily strain the heart, harm the arteries, and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems in both men and women. One out of every four persons in the US is diagnosed with hypertension, which, in combination with diabetes, can adversely affect the arterial walls and cause irreversible heart disease. The ADA estimates that over 60% of people with diabetes have hypertension, posing a need for increased and more careful management of blood pressure.
The mission of the Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. This initiative is an integral part of our strategy to improve the cardiovascular health of people with diabetes by focusing on increasing awareness of the serious link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The American Diabetes Association presents "Managing Hypertension in Adults with Diabetes," an archived webcast consisting of presentations and categorized questions and answers links that could help you improve patient outcomes.
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