The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide due to changing characteristics of Western populations. We analyzed the relationship between diabetes and diabetes-related hypertension, including classical and novel cardiovascular risk factors (insulin resistance, increased sympathetic activity, sodium retention, endothelial dysfunction, stimulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, atherosclerosis, renal injury, and adipose tissue products: TNF-a, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, ghrelin). Identification of potentially reversible risk factors for hypertension in diabetes mellitus is critical for the effective care of diabetic patients and may represent an important approach to reducing mortality and morbidity.