Hyper Tension Revealed

Diabetes Effect On Hypertension

Diabetes and hypertension are closely intertwined. Separately, each of them can cause serious health problems. Together, they are devastating.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce insulin (Type I) or the body cannot use the insulin it does produce (Type II). Insulin acts as the “key” which lets glucose, or sugar, into the body’s cells to be used as energy. Left free-floating, glucose can cause severe damage to the body’s organs.

Hypertension is often called high blood pressure. When the heart beats, it pushes blood throughout our bodies. Blood pressure measures the force of that blood in the arteries. Your blood pressure consists of two numbers. The first number, systolic blood pressure, refers to the force of blood in the arteries when the heart contracts. The second number, the diastolic blood pressure, refers to the force in the arteries when the heart is relaxed. High blood pressure can also lead to organ damage, as well as heart attacks and strokes. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, a normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.

People who suffer from diabetes are more than twice as likely to suffer high blood pressure as people who do not have diabetes. One study revealed that 73% of adults with diabetes either met the diagnostic criteria for or were being treated for hypertension.

This statistic becomes even more frightening when you consider that people with both diabetes and hypertension are four times more likely to develop heart disease than people who do not have these conditions.

Type II diabetes and hypertension share many risk factors. Some cannot be changed or controlled. These include age, ethnicity (e.g., African-Americans are more likely to suffer from both conditions), and family history. Risk factors that can be controlled include inactivity, obesity, and a diet high in sugar and fat.

Many people suffer from diabetes, hypertension, or both, without being aware of their conditions, because the symptoms are often subtle. Many of the symptoms of diabetes and hypertension are the same, such as blurred vision and headaches. Additionally, diabetics often complain of being thirsty all the time (with a corresponding increase in urination).

Treatment for both diabetes and hypertension requires certain lifestyle changes. Diabetics can help control the level of glucose in their blood by eating a diet low in sugar. People with hypertension are also encouraged to make diet changes by eating foods low in salt and saturated fats. If you are overweight, losing even a few pounds can help manage both conditions. Exercise is also a must for people with diabetes and/or hypertension.

Additionally, diabetics may need to take oral medications and/or injections of insulin to control their blood sugar. There are also many medications available to control hypertension. The preferred treatments for people who suffer from both diabetes and hypertension are ACE inhibitors and ARBs. Both relax the arterial muscles without raising the level of blood glucose.

Together, diabetes and hypertension are a lethal combination. If you are at risk for these conditions, do what you can to reduce the risk factors that are under your control. It is also a good idea to have your blood pressure and blood glucose levels screened regularly. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can save your life.