According to the American Diabetes Association, 20.8 million children and adults in the U.S, or 7% of the population, have diabetes. Nearly one-third don’t know they have the disease. Among those who do, most aren’t getting medicines that can lower their risk of dying from a heart attack.

Diabetics need to be on either an ace-inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. They are drugs like Captopril, Vasotec and Lisinopril.  The angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARBs, include Atacand and Cozaar, among others.

A major study found 92% of diabetics had at least one of the indications for ace-inhibitor or ARB use.

“There is evidence now that says all diabetics should be on this as primary prevention of kidney disease and some would even argue cardio-protective as well,” said Sandy Balwin, MD., with North Shore University Hospital.

The drugs will lower your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and death from all causes, including cardiovascular deaths. Yet, research has shown that only four in 10 diabetics are being prescribed the medicines and that’s of concern to health care experts.

“This is one group of patients who we need to be proactive for the majority of the time. Pro-activity is the best.  I think it gets us the best results. If left untreated, their diseases can be fatal or certainly severely disabling,” noted. Dr. Balwin.

If you have questions about these medications, talk to your doctor.

An ace-inhibitor is much cheaper than the new ARBs and most insurance companies will want you to start with the ace inhibitor.

You can get a cough with an ace inhibitor and that would be  one reason to then switch to an ARB.