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The aim of or study was to see if an exaggerated BP response during the Bruce exercise test could differentiated target organ damage (TOD) in a population of diabetics v/s nondiabetic pts . We studied 105 pts for the performance of a stress test because of chest pain whose systolic BP rose 50mmHg or more at their peak exercise compared to their resting BP. There were 45 diabetics pts (DM) and 60 nondiabetic pts (NDM) pts. All pts were hypertensive on medication but their beta blocker medication was on hold for the performance of the stress test. The echocardiograms were performed using a Phillips IE 33 echo machine and the LV mass was calculated using the Deveraux formula using single plane views. The was no statistical difference between both groups with respect to age, BMI and systolic and diastolic BP’s during rest and exercise. The HR at rest was not different between both groups but the HR at peak exercise was significantly higher for NDM compared to DM (p < 0.016). The LVMI was significantly higher in DM compared to NDM pts ( p = 0.04). In conclusion, an elevated LVMI which is evidence for hypertensive target organ damage should be suspected in hypertensive pts who have an exaggerated BP response to the exercise Bruce stress test. The reason for a significantly higher HR at peak exercise for NDM patients compared to DM pts may be related to better physical performance and therefore longer duration of exercise. Other possibilities will be discussed.