# Intensive Blood-Pressure Treatment Shows No Significant Heart Benefit in Diabetes Trial

OPTIMAL-DIABETES found a modest, statistically uncertain cardiovascular difference and more kidney-related events with intensive treatment.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-11-07T22:02:02.986Z
Updated: 2026-11-07T22:06:08.347Z
Section: Health
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/optimal-diabetes-blood-pressure-trial-results-november-7-2026

Intensive blood-pressure treatment did not significantly reduce major cardiovascular events in adults with Type 2 diabetes in the OPTIMAL-DIABETES trial, according to results released November 7 by the American Heart Association.

The randomized study enrolled 9,476 adults aged 50 or older at 33 Brazilian sites. It compared a systolic-pressure target below 120 mm Hg with a target below 140 mm Hg over a median four years.

Major cardiovascular events occurred in 6.0% receiving intensive treatment and 6.7% receiving standard treatment. The difference was not statistically significant; the findings do not exclude a modest benefit.

Kidney-related events occurred in 5.7% and 3.7%, respectively, mainly declines in kidney function. End-stage kidney disease rates were similar, as were overall serious adverse events.

Participants and investigators knew treatment assignments, and findings may not generalize beyond Brazil. The association said the trial was simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers emphasized individualized decisions rather than applying one target to everyone with diabetes.

## Sources
- American Heart Association — OPTIMAL-DIABETES results, November 7, 3:30 p.m. Central: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/intensive-blood-pressure-therapy-did-not-cut-cardiovascular-events-in-adults-with-diabetes
- Image — CDC PHIL 14867, Yvonne Green, 2012; public domain, available free: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/phil/Details.aspx?pid=14867
- Image reuse terms — CDC agency materials: https://www.cdc.gov/other/agencymaterials.html