Research has confirmed modern blood-pressure treatments are less likely to be associated with new cases of diabetes than older medicinesHistorically, beta-blockers and diuretics have been associated with reducing glucose-tolerance and triggering the onset of diabetes. The results of past clinical trials found the danger was less with angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE). The study was based on a systematic review of 22 clinical trials involving 143,000 patients who did not have diabetes when they were started on the different medicines.
An individual's risk of getting diabetes while taking diuretics and beta blockers depends on a number of factors, including but not limited to, your weight, your family history of diabetes, whether or not you have recently gained weight and the extent you remain on the prescribed medication. I'd hate to think the only treatment to lower your blood pressure subsequently raised your blood sugar. With the risk of diabetes lurking around every corner -- we have little space for drugs that are exclusively curable in one respect and haphazardly injurious in another.
1. It is the Yin/Yang of Western Medicine. With every good attempt to alleviate a problem.....there also exists the potential for harm/side effects. A good example of "Risk/Benefit" applied to Western Medicine
Posted at 3:00PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by BetterCell