Understanding and Managing the Risk of High Blood Pressure in Diabetes

High blood pressure or hypertension is twice as likely to affect an individual with diabetes in comparison with individuals without diabetes. When left untreated, high blood pressure can cause a heart attack or stroke. In fact, individuals with both diabetes and high blood pressure are four times as likely to develop some form of heart disease in comparison with those who do not have either of the two conditions. Nearly 2/3rds of adults with diabetes have blood pressure readings that are greater than 130/80 mm Hg or use certain prescription medications for treating hypertension.

Understanding the Risk

For most individuals, there is no specific, single cause of high blood pressure. However, some things can put you at an elevated risk. Diabetes is one of the common risk factors for high blood pressure. High blood sugar levels can lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is characterised by a build-up of fatty material within your blood vessels, thus narrowing them down. The narrower the blood vessels, the more is the build-up of pressure.

When your blood vessels are highly stressed, the harder is the heart’s task of pumping blood to the major organs of the body. This eventually means that your heart, feet, and eyes are at a serious risk. 

Managing the Risk: How to Control Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

When it comes to keeping a tab on blood sugar and blood pressure levels, it all comes down to executing positive changes to your lifestyle. Obviously, this is easier said than done. Some individuals will need medications to keep the levels from spiralling out of control.

Some of the lifestyle changes that need to be made include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Being more physically active
• Cutting down salt intake
• Quitting smoking
• Consuming less alcohol
• Combatting stress effectively
• Intaking less caffeine

Your healthcare team can help you in executing these lifestyle changes. 

Specific treatment for hypertension will be eventually determined by your doctor based on certain factors that include:

• Your age
• Your overall health and complete medical history
• Extent of both diabetes and hypertension
• Your tolerance for certain medications, therapies, and procedures
• Your opinions and preferences

How High is Too High

Two specific numbers are used to measure your blood pressure levels. The number on the top (or systolic pressure) refers to pressure within the artery when your heart contracts and pumps blood throughout the body. The number on the bottom (or diastolic pressure) refers to the pressure within the artery when your heart is at rest and filled with blood. Both pressure readings are recorded as ‘mm Hg’ (which refers to millimetres of mercury). According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NHLBI), hypertension for adults is indicated by the following numbers.

• 140 mm Hg or higher systolic pressure
• 90 mm Hg or higher diastolic pressure

NHLBI guidelines for indication of prehypertension are:

• 120 mm Hg – 139 mm Hg systolic pressure
• 80 mm Hg – 89 mm Hg diastolic pressure

NHLBI guidelines for indication of normal blood pressure are:

• Systolic pressure that is less than 120 mm Hg
• Diastolic pressure that is less than 80 mm Hg

Blood Pressure Results

You will obtain your results right away. The readings let your healthcare team know if your blood pressure level is too high, too low, or just right. That said, it is vital that you comprehend the results, too. Make a note of your readings at every appointment and obtain knowledge as to what the numbers mean.  

Your healthcare team will come up with a target level that is safe for you. It is crucial that you must do everything you can to maintain your blood pressure within the target range. The longer the level is high, the more at risk you are of developing serious complications. 

On a Final Note:

Diabetes is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure or hypertension. When the blood pressure is high (140 mm Hg or higher systolic pressure and 90 mm Hg or higher diastolic pressure), the harder is the task for the heart to pump blood to organs of your body. 

Simple changes to your lifestyle can bring your blood pressure back to safe levels. Some of these lifestyle changes include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, quitting smoking, cutting down on the consumption of alcohol, limiting the intake of salt in your diet, effective stress management, and cutting down on caffeine consumption.

References:

1. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/blood-pressure
2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/diabetes-and-high-blood-pressure