Vascular Dysfunction in Diabetes: Genes and Hormones

The investigators are very excited that the National Institutes of Health are sponsoring us to investigate why patients with diabetes are more likely to develop high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and heart disease. There are two parts of our research program. The first part is a screening visit. At this visit you will be given a brief physical exam and will be asked questions concerning your medical history. During the same visit you will have your blood drawn for routine screening and to prepare DNA for genetic testing. You will also be asked to collect a urine sample for routine screening. If the doctor finds that you are a healthy candidate you will be invited to participate in the second part of the study. During Phase II the investigators will perform physiologic tests after you are placed on a low salt diet and again after you are placed on a high salt diet. All of the food that you will eat during the two diets will be provided to you by the hospital. If you are on blood pressure medication, it may be necessary to discontinue taking your present medication for up to three months before beginning the study. Patients discontinuing their current blood pressure medication may be placed on a different blood pressure medication during this washout period if necessary to maintain blood pressure at pre-study levels. The investigators will take you off all medications, except cholesterol medications two weeks prior to your scheduled in-patient study. However, if you are currently on medication to control your diabetes you will remain on this throughout the entire study. Once your blood pressure medications are discontinued, you will be closely monitored to make sure you do not encounter any difficulty. If you do not own a home blood pressure monitor, the investigators will provide one for to use during the study so that you can keep a daily record of your blood pressure readings. The investigators will ask you to call us every three da