Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Identification, Causes, Complications, Prevention, Treatment, FAQs

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

Diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) frequently occur together. There is a substantial overlap between diabetes and hypertension in etiology and disease mechanisms. Obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance are thought to be common pathways.

Recent advances in the understanding of these pathways have provided new insights and perspectives. Physical activity plays an important protective role in the two diseases. Knowing the common causes and disease mechanisms allow a more effective and proactive approach in their prevention and treatment.

Having diabetes raises your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems. Having high blood pressure also raises this risk. If you have diabetes and high blood pressure together, this raises your risk of health problems even more.

If you have diabetes, your doctor will want to be sure that your blood pressure is very well controlled. This means that they will probably want your blood pressure to be below 130 over 80.

People with diabetes and high blood pressure are sometimes given the blood pressure medicines known as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers because they are thought to help protect the kidneys. However, other blood pressure medicines can also be used.

Both hypertension and diabetes may have some underlying causes in common, and they share some risk factors. They also contribute to a worsening of each other’s symptoms. The ways of managing both conditions also overlap.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Identification

Identifying hypertension

People sometimes refer to high blood pressure as a “silent killer”, and many of them are usually not aware that they have it. Most people usually find out that they have high blood pressure when a doctor takes a blood pressure test reading.

The reading will give two numbers:

• The systolic is the top number
• The diastolic is the bottom number

According to the AHA, the results will be one of the following:

• Normal: Systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80
• Elevated: Systolic 120–129 and diastolic under 80
• Hypertension stage 1: Systolic 130–139 and diastolic 80–89
• Hypertension stage 2: Systolic 140-plus and diastolic 90 or more
• Hypertensive crisis: Systolic higher than 180 and diastolic above 120. (A hypertensive crisis means that the individual needs to see a doctor immediately)

Identifying Diabetes

Not everyone with diabetes will notice symptoms, including those with a diagnosis, as long as they are controlling their condition effectively. If symptoms of high blood glucose are to appear, they would include:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent need to urinate
• Increased night-time urination
• Weakness and tiredness
• Blurred vision.

A person may also notice that they start to have more infections, including urinary tract infections, thrush, and upper respiratory tract infections. They may also notice that wounds and infections take longer to heal.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Causes

Can Diabetes cause High Blood Pressure?

A person with diabetes either does not have enough insulin to process glucose or their insulin does not work effectively. Insulin is the hormone that enables the body to process glucose from food and use it as energy. As a result of insulin problems, glucose cannot enter the cells to provide energy, and it accumulates in the bloodstream instead.

As blood with high glucose levels travels through the body, it can cause widespread damage, including to the blood vessels and kidneys. These organs play a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure. If they experience damage, blood pressure can rise, increasing the risk of further harm and complications.

Can High Blood Pressure cause Diabetes?

It concluded that people with high blood pressure have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This link may be due to processes in the body that affect both conditions, for example, inflammation.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Complications

The combined impact of diabetes and high blood pressure can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and other health problems. There are three major ways in which high glucose levels in the blood can increase blood pressure:

• The blood vessels lose their ability to stretch.
• The fluid in the body increases, especially if diabetes is already affecting the kidneys.
• Insulin resistance may involve processes that increase the risk of hypertension.

Controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure can help prevent complications.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Prevention

Lifestyle factors are very important in managing both blood sugar and blood pressure.

• A healthy weight

For people with excess weight, losing even a little can help reduce the risk of both high blood pressure and diabetes.

• Physical Activity

Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and help control blood sugar, and it offers many other health benefits. Those who haven’t been active for a while should speak to their doctor for advice on a sensible exercise plan.

• Healthful Dietary Choices

People with diabetes and hypertension should include the following in their diet:

• Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Food rich in high fiber including whole grains
• Limited amount of added sugar and salts
• LImited unhealthy fats, such as trans fats and animal fats.

• Limiting Alcohol Consumption

High consumption of alcohol can lead to the risk of

• Raised blood pressure
• Blood glucose spikes

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Treatment

Medical Treatment

Most doctors use ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers) first. Although other medications treat high blood pressure, these also prevent or slow kidney disease in people with diabetes.

Some blood pressure drugs may make your blood sugar and lipid levels worse. Blood pressure medicines can also cause erectile dysfunction. Find out from your doctor what your prescribed medicines might do.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure FAQs

Are high blood pressure and diabetes always interconnected?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, often occurs alongside diabetes mellitus, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, and studies show there may be links between them. Both hypertension and diabetes may have some underlying causes in common, and they share some risk factors.

Can a diabetic with high blood pressure donate blood?

Yes, it’s generally safe for people with diabetes to give blood if their diabetes is well managed, and have no other health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure. If your diabetes is not well managed, and you have other health problems, you shouldn’t donate blood.

How can diabetics elevate blood pressure?

There are three ways in which high glucose levels in the blood can increase blood pressure: The blood vessels lose their ability to stretch. The fluid in the body increases, especially if diabetes is already affecting the kidneys. Insulin resistance may involve processes that increase the risk of hypertension.

Why does diabetes mellitus lead to hypertension?

Diabetes damages arteries and makes them targets for hardening, called atherosclerosis. That can cause high blood pressure, which if not treated, can lead to trouble including blood vessel damage, heart attack, and kidney failure, Coronary artery disease or heart disease.

Which doctor treats high blood pressure and diabetes?

A cardiologist

What kind of diet should you be on if you have high blood pressure?

Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure. This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

Can blood sugar affect blood pressure?

There are three ways in which high glucose levels in the blood can increase blood pressure: The blood vessels lose their ability to stretch. The fluid in the body increases, especially if diabetes is already affecting the kidneys. Insulin resistance may involve processes that increase the risk of hypertension.

What are foods that reduce blood sugar levels?

• Whole wheat bread.
• Fruits.
• Sweet potatoes and yams.
• Oatmeal and oat bran.
• Nuts.
• Legumes.
• Garlic.
• Cold-water fish.

Why is high blood sugar a problem in diabetes?

Frequent or ongoing high blood sugar can cause damage to your nerves, blood vessels, and organs. It can also lead to other serious conditions. If you have type 2 diabetes or if you’re at risk for it, extremely high blood sugar can lead to a potentially deadly condition in which your body can’t process sugar

Can low blood sugar cause high blood pressure?

The hemodynamic changes associated with hypoglycemia include an increase in heart rate and peripheral systolic blood pressure, a fall in central blood pressure, reduced peripheral arterial resistance (causing a widening of pulse pressure), and increased myocardial contractility, stroke volume, and cardiac output

What can I do for high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes?

• Control your blood sugar.
• Stop smoking.
• Eat healthily.
• Exercise on most days.
• Keep your weight in a healthy range.
• Don’t drink a lot of alcohol.
• Limit how much salt you eat.
• Visit your doctor regularly.