Hi,
Some doctors put all their patients with diabetes mellitus on this medication. My husband has DM2 and takes Ramipril/Altace.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs have been shown to reduce the progression of nephropathy. Besides providing protection from, or slowing down a kidney disease, they also help protect against heart attacks, strokes and atherosclerosis. Some people with diabetes develop these cardiovascular complications. A percentage of people with DM will develop diabetic nephropathy. The onset demonstrates itself by protein leakage, decreased GFR and an increased blood pressure. This is why the kidney function is so closely monitored in diabetes, even in the absence of kidney disease.
I guess you'll have to weigh the potential benefits of taking this (or any other) medication against the potential cardiovascular disease risk factors present. Having diabetes alone puts you into a high risk category - being overweight is another risk factor. A lipid imbalance is another contributor to CVD. If you smoke, the risk factors increase further. There could be several other risk factors present. Your doctor would have done an evaluation of CVD risk factors before starting your treatment.
In the end, the decision whether or not to take medication is up to you. You should discuss the situation and your concerns in detail with your doctor. He is familiar with your health profile and will answer any questions you may have. Good luck in making that decision!
flowergirl
PB Meds to protect kidneys??? 
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