Diabetes mellitus by itself, is a frequent and increasing public health pro
blem. The prevalence in most Western countries varies between 2 to 5% and i
t is rapidly increasing in Asiatic countries due to changes in dietary habi
ts during the last years. The association between diabetes mellitus and hyp
ertension has been described in 60 to 65% of diabetics. In hypertension we
find insulin resistance mainly in skeletal muscle involving the conversion
of glucose to glycogen independently of blood flow. The degree of resistanc
e is related to the severity of hypertension and varies between races. Stat
es of hyperinsulinaemia and insulin-resistance have been postulated as caus
es and/or consequences of hypertension. Regardless of the type of diabetes,
hypertension is two to three times more common among diabetics compared wi
th non-diabetics. In this paper we propose to review the essential physiopa
thological mechanisms involved in this association that causes high morbidi
ty and mortality rates and increases disability among the population involv
ed.