Patients with diabetes often have high blood pressure, commonly known as hypertension. High blood pressure further raises the risk of heart disease, which is already high in patients with diabetes. This fact underscores the importance of tight control of both high blood pressure and blood sugar in patients with diabetes. If you have diabetes it is very important that you control your blood pressure as well.
A recent study called the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) showed us that patients who had tight control of their blood pressure had nearly a 33 percent reduction in the risk of dying from heart disease compared to patients who had higher blood pressure. Patients with tight blood pressure control had a blood pressure on average of 144/82 as compared to patients who had less tight blood pressure control of 154/87. In the UKPDS, they found that elevated blood pressure can wipeout the benefits of all the hard work of improving blood sugar control.
Other studies have shown that patients with diabetes are particularly sensitive to high blood pressure. The Syst-Eur research study showed us that patients with controlled systolic blood pressure (the top number of blood pressure measurement) had a 62 percent reduction in the risk of heart disease compared to patients who had a systolic blood pressure between 160 and 200 mm of mercury.
This study was particularly important because it enrolled a large number of patients who are over the age of 60. Overall, after two years of treatment, patients whose blood pressure was controlled reduced their risk of stroke, heart attack, and death. In both the UKPDS and the Syst-Eur research studies, treatment was with a variety of blood pressure medicines including the class of medicine called ACE inhibitors, as well as diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers. In these studies it was the actual number of millimeters of mercury of blood pressure and not the type of medication that was important to reduce the chances of heart attack, stroke, or death.
Simple steps to lower your blood pressure
Exercise
- Lose Excess Weight
- Stop Smoking
- Drink Less Alcohol
- Eat Less Salt
- Reduce Stress
- If neccessary take medication.
With all of the emphasis in recent years on controlling blood sugar, it is important to note that we now have an understanding that controlling blood pressure, as well, is just as important. Having blood pressures less than 140 systolic and 80 diastolic seems to be the trick in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and vascular disease. The American Diabetes Association recommends that all patients with diabetes should keep their blood pressure less than 130 systolic and 85 diastolic.
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Blood pressure range blood pressure reading (in mm Hg)
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Normal Blood Pressure
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Less Than 130/85
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High-normal Blood Pressure
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130/85 to 139/89
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Mild Hypertension
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140/90 to 159/99
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Moderate Hypertension
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160/100 to 179/109
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Severe Hypertension
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180/110 to 209/119
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Very Severe Hypertension
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More Than 210/120
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