The New England Journal of Medicine has published a new study which found that using antihypertensive drugs to lower systolic blood pressure does nothing to lower the risk of heart complications; another found no benefit to adding a drug to raise HDL ("good") cholesterol. Also, 2 drugs given to lower high blood sugar levels showed no benefits.
However, losing excess weight, increasing activity levels, and improving nutritional habits lead to better control of diabetes and lower risks of heart disease.
Sources:US News World Report March 15, 2010
New England Journal of Medicine March 18, 2010
