Preventing diabetes

The antihypertensive valsartan can prevent the onset of diabetes among high-risk patients with elevated blood pressure, based on the findings of the new landmark trial VALUE (Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation).

Controlling blood sugar level and blood pressure is crucial for hypertensive patients because these can lead to serious consequences if left untreated.

High blood pressure or hypertension is a widespread medical condition with severe complications, including kidney disease and heart failure.

But on top of these concerns, people with high blood pressure also need to watch out for signs of diabetes because these two conditions often occur together.

The VALUE trial revealed that a valsartan-based therapy for hypertension can cut new onset diabetes by 23 percent aside from preventing cardiac death and events.

It is the first trial that directly compared angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan to the calcium antagonist amlodipine. This is also the largest ARB study to date.

While there is no significant difference in cardiac death and cardiac events between the two drugs, despite unintended blood pressure differences in favor of amlodipine, there were significantly less discontinuity in valsartan due to adverse events.

Valsartan is a prescription product and should only be taken upon a doctor’s advice.