If you or a loved one has Type 2 diabetes—or if you are at high risk for it—you may know that the disease can cause different types of complications for different people. One of the most common shared issues is high blood pressure (HBP). Also called hypertension, this condition makes people with diabetes twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Your heart pumps blood throughout your body, and blood pressure measures the pressure of the blood flow through the blood vessels. Your systolic pressure (which is the top number) measures the pressure as your heart beats and your blood presses forward. Your diastolic pressure (or bottom number) measures the pressure between heartbeats. Blood pressure numbers are measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg.
- Healthy blood pressure—Systolic pressure of 120 or lower and diastolic pressure of 80 or lower
- Elevated blood pressure—Systolic pressure between 120 and 129 and diastolic pressure greater than 80
- Stage 1 Hypertension—Systolic pressure between 130 and 139, and diastolic pressure between 80 and 89
- Stage 2 Hypertension—Systolic pressure at least 140 and diastolic pressure at least 90
It’s normal for your blood pressure to change throughout the day — lower when you are sleeping and higher when you are active. If your blood pressure is consistently high even when you are sitting still, it can cause serious health problems. Not only can high blood pressure lead to heart disease or stroke, it can also cause vision failure, kidney disease and erectile dysfunction.
What’s the Diabetes and Hypertension Connection?
Diabetes on its own can damage your blood vessels and nerves. If you have high blood pressure, it can cause additional damage to the blood vessels. That combination greatly increases your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. If you are overweight, which is common in people with Type 2 diabetes, that risk goes up even more.
Unfortunately, many people with hypertension do not know they have it, as having high blood pressure often has no physical symptoms until a medical event occurs. If you have diabetes, it is important to get your blood pressure checked frequently. If your provider determines that you do have hypertension, it can be treated with lifestyle changes, medication, or a combination of these two.
How Can I Manage Diabetes and Hypertension Together?
The good news is that many of the steps to successfully manage your diabetes will also help improve your hypertension. Even today you can start taking these steps:
- Eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Here are 8 heart-healthy foods to get you started.
- Get daily exercise, like a 10-minute walk in your neighborhood, slowly building up stamina. The CDC recommends an ultimate goal of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
- Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one glass a day – or quit entirely.
- Make sure that you are vaccinated for the flu, COVID-19, shingles and pneumonia — diseases that could damage your blood vessels, lungs and nerves. Learn more about vaccines adults should get.
- Quit smoking.
- Take action to lower your stress, such as with meditation or yoga. Try this gratitude meditation art project.
- Always take your medication as prescribed. Can’t afford your medications? Here’s what you can do.
- Test your blood sugar and check your blood pressure as frequently as your primary care provider recommends.
Of course, a crucial step is to maintain regular contact with your primary care provider, who can monitor your numbers and your overall health. Cardiovascular and endocrinology specialists at the University of Maryland Medical System can work with your primary care provider, as well as dietary and nutrition consultants, to keep your diabetes and high blood pressure under control.
Watch a Webinar on Hypertension and Stroke
More to Read
- The Link Between Anxiety and High Blood Pressure
- How Much Do You Know About High Blood Pressure?
- What Do Your Blood Pressure Numbers Actually Mean?
- How to Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control
