If you have diabetes you should aim to keep your blood pressure well controlled. Having high blood pressure is one of several risk factors that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, a stroke and some other complications. Treatment includes a change in lifestyle risk factors where these can be improved. Many people with diabetes need to take medication to lower their blood pressure.
What is blood pressure?
The top (first) number is the systolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.The bottom (second) number is the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between each heartbeat.
What is high blood pressure?
Note: high blood pressure actually means that your blood pressure remains above the cut-off point each time it is taken. That is, your blood pressure is sustained at the level higher than it should be, and is not just a one-off high reading when you happen to be stressed.High blood pressure can be:
Note: high blood pressure actually means that your blood pressure remains above the cut-off point each time it is taken. That is, your blood pressure is sustained at the level higher than it should be, and is not just a one-off high reading when you happen to be stressed.
High blood pressure can be:
Just a high systolic pressure - for example, 170/70 mm Hg.
Just a high diastolic pressure - for example, 120/104 mm Hg.
Both - for example, 170/110 mm Hg.
How is high blood pressure diagnosed?
You have high blood pressure (hypertension) if you have several blood pressure readings which are high, and which are taken on different occasions, and when you are relaxed.
You have high blood pressure (hypertension) if you have several blood pressure readings which are high, and which are taken on different occasions, and when you are relaxed.
Observation period
Some people are given (or buy) machines to monitor blood pressure at home (home monitoring) or when they are going about doing their everyday activities (ambulatory monitoring). One reason this may be advised is because some people become anxious in medical clinics, which can cause their blood pressure to rise. (This is called white coat hypertension.) Home or ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure may show that your blood pressure is normal when you are relaxed.Some people are given (or buy) machines to monitor blood pressure at home (home monitoring) or when they are going about doing their everyday activities (ambulatory monitoring). One reason this may be advised is because some people become anxious in medical clinics, which can cause their blood pressure to rise. (This is called white coat hypertension.) Home or ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure may show that your blood pressure is normal when you are relaxed.
What causes high blood pressure?
The cause is not known in most casesDiabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease)
Rarely, high blood pressure is caused by other conditions
How common is high blood pressure in people with diabetes?
People with diabetes are more at risk of developing high blood pressure if they:
Are of African-Caribbean origin.
Are from the Indian sub-continent.
Have a family history of high blood pressure.
Have certain lifestyle factors - those who are overweight, eat a lot of salt, do not eat much fruit and vegetables, do not take much exercise, or drink a lot of alcohol.
Do I need any tests?
A urine test to check if you have protein or blood in your urine.
A blood test to check your kidney function and to check your cholesterol level.
A heart tracing, called an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Rule out (or diagnose) a secondary cause of high blood pressure.
To check to see if the high blood pressure has affected the heart.
To check if you have other risk factors such as a high cholesterol level.
Why is high blood pressure a problem?
In general, the higher your blood pressure, the greater your health risk. However, high blood pressure is just one of several possible risk factors for developing a cardiovascular disease.
Other risk factors that also increase the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease are:
In general, the higher your blood pressure, the greater your health risk. However, high blood pressure is just one of several possible risk factors for developing a cardiovascular disease.
Other risk factors that also increase the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease are:
Lifestyle risk factors that can be prevented or changed:
Smoking.
Lack of physical activity (a sedentary lifestyle).
Obesity.
An unhealthy diet.
Excess alcohol.
Diabetes.
High cholesterol blood level.
High triglyceride (fat) blood level.
Kidney diseases that affect kidney function.
A strong family history. This means if you have a father or brother who developed heart disease or a stroke before they were aged 55, or in a mother or sister before they were aged 65.
Being male.
An early menopause in women.
Age. The older you become, the more likely you are to develop atheroma (furring or hardening of the arteries).
Ethnic group. For example, people who live in the UK, with ancestry from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka, have an increased risk.
In addition, some other complications of diabetes are more common if you have high blood pressure. For example, diabetic retinopathy (damage to the back of the eye) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage related to diabetes).
In addition, some other complications of diabetes are more common if you have high blood pressure. For example, diabetic retinopathy (damage to the back of the eye) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage related to diabetes).
What are the benefits of lowering blood pressure?
A large research study called the the UK Prospective Diabetes Study confirmed this. In this study, many people with diabetes were monitored over several years. The study found that those with well controlled blood pressure had nearly a third less risk of dying from complications related to diabetes (heart attack, stroke, etc) compared with those with poorly controlled blood pressure.
In fact, this study found that good control of blood pressure was even more beneficial than good control of the blood sugar level to reduce the risk of developing complications from diabetes.
Since this study, other studies have been undertaken which confirm these results.
A large research study called the the UK Prospective Diabetes Study confirmed this. In this study, many people with diabetes were monitored over several years. The study found that those with well controlled blood pressure had nearly a third less risk of dying from complications related to diabetes (heart attack, stroke, etc) compared with those with poorly controlled blood pressure.
In fact, this study found that good control of blood pressure was even more beneficial than good control of the blood sugar level to reduce the risk of developing complications from diabetes.
Since this study, other studies have been undertaken which confirm these results.
In fact, this study found that good control of blood pressure was even more beneficial than good control of the blood sugar level to reduce the risk of developing complications from diabetes.
Since this study, other studies have been undertaken which confirm these results.
Since this study, other studies have been undertaken which confirm these results.
How can blood pressure be lowered?
Modifications to lifestyle (weight, exercise, diet, salt, and alcohol) if any of these can be improved upon (details below).
Medication (details below).
Lifestyle treatments to lower high blood pressure
Lose weight if you are overweight
Losing excess weight has other health benefits too.Regular physical activity
If you previously did little physical activity and change to doing regular physical activity five times a week, this can reduce your blood pressure.
If you previously did little physical activity and change to doing regular physical activity five times a week, this can reduce your blood pressure.
Have a low salt intake
Use herbs and spices rather than salt to flavour food.Limit the amount of salt used in cooking and do not add salt to food at the table.
Choose foods labelled 'no added salt' and avoid processed foods as much as possible.
Eat a healthy diet
Drink alcohol in moderation
Cutting back on heavy drinking improves health in various ways, including lowering your blood pressure.
Cutting back on heavy drinking improves health in various ways, including lowering your blood pressure.
Treatment with medication
When is treatment with medicines started for high blood pressure?
Which medicines are used to lower blood pressure?
One medicine reduces high blood pressure to the target level in less than half of cases. This therefore means that it is common to need two or more different medicines to reduce your blood pressure to a target level (140/80 mm Hg or below). In about a third of cases, three medicines or more are needed to get blood pressure to the target level. A separate leaflet called 'Medication for High Blood Pressure' gives more details.
One medicine reduces high blood pressure to the target level in less than half of cases. This therefore means that it is common to need two or more different medicines to reduce your blood pressure to a target level (140/80 mm Hg or below). In about a third of cases, three medicines or more are needed to get blood pressure to the target level. A separate leaflet called 'Medication for High Blood Pressure' gives more details.
How long is medication needed for?
Smoking and high blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries (blood vessels). Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). Your blood pressure is recorded as two figures. For example, 124/80 mm Hg. This is said as 124 over 80.
This is not as simple to answer as it may seem. In general, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk to health. Depending on various factors, the level at which blood pressure is said to be high can vary from person to person. The cut-off point for blood pressure that is said to be high is 140/80 mm Hg or above for people with diabetes and 130/80 mm Hg for those with diabetes and complications (for example, kidney disease). These are lower than the cut-off point for people who do not have diabetes.
A one-off blood pressure reading which is high does not mean that you have high blood pressure or hypertension. Your blood pressure varies throughout the day. It may be high for a short time if you are anxious, stressed or have just been exercising.
If one reading is found to be high, your doctor or nurse will usually advise a time of observation. This means several blood pressure checks at intervals over time. It is also a good time to address any lifestyle factors (see below). The length of the observation period varies depending on the initial reading and if you have other health risk factors or complications from diabetes. If the blood pressure readings remain high after an observation period then treatment with medication is usually advised (see below).
This is called essential hypertension. The pressure in the blood vessels depends on how hard the heart pumps, and how much resistance there is in the arteries. It is thought that slight narrowing of the arteries increases the resistance to blood flow, which increases the blood pressure. The cause of the slight narrowing of the arteries is not clear. Various factors probably contribute. (It is a bit like water in a hosepipe. The water pressure is increased if you open the tap more, but also if you make the hosepipe narrower by partially blocking the outflow with your thumb.)
Diabetic nephropathy is a complication which develops in some people with diabetes. In this condition the kidneys are damaged, which can cause high blood pressure. This is more common in people with type 1 diabetes.
It is then called secondary hypertension. For example, certain kidney or hormonal problems can cause high blood pressure.
In the UK, about half of all people aged over 65, and about one in four of all middle-aged adults, have high blood pressure. It is less common in younger adults. High blood pressure is more common in people with diabetes. Around 3 in 10 people with type 1 diabetes and around 8 in 10 people with type 2 diabetes develop high blood pressure at some stage.
If you are diagnosed as having high blood pressure you are likely to be examined by your doctor and have some routine tests which include:
The purpose of the examination and tests is to:
Several of these tests are ones that are routinely done anyway if you have diabetes, even if you do not have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a risk factor for developing a cardiovascular disease (such as a heart attack or stroke) and kidney damage, sometime in the future. If you have high blood pressure, over the years it may have a damaging effect to arteries and put a strain on your heart.
Diabetes plus high blood pressure is a particularly strong combination of risk factors.
There is now plenty of good evidence from studies that controlling blood pressure in people with diabetes reduces the risk of future complications (see below).
There are two ways in which blood pressure can be lowered:
Losing some excess weight can make a big difference. Blood pressure can fall by up to 2.5/1.5 mm Hg for each excess kilogram which is lost.
If possible, aim to do some physical activity on five or more days of the week, for at least 30 minutes. For example, brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, etc. Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure in addition to giving other health benefits.
The amount of salt that we eat can have an effect on our blood pressure. Government guidelines recommend that we should have no more than six grams of salt per day. (Most people currently have more than this.) Tips on how to reduce salt include:
If you have diabetes you will normally be given plenty of advice about a healthy diet. A healthy diet provides health benefits in different ways. For example, it can lower cholesterol, help control your weight, and has plenty of vitamins, fibre and other nutrients which help to prevent certain diseases.
Too much alcohol can be harmful and can lead to an increase in blood pressure. You should not drink more than the recommended amount. That is: men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Pregnant women, and women trying to become pregnant, should not drink alcohol at all. One unit is in about half a pint of normal strength beer, or two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirits.
If you have diabetes, treatment with medicines is usually advised if your blood pressure remains at 140/80 mm Hg or above.
There are several different medicines that can lower your blood pressure. The one chosen depends on such things as: if you have other medical problems; if you take other medication; possible side-effects of the medicine; your age; your ethnic origin, etc.
In most cases, medication is needed for life. However, in some people whose blood pressure has been well controlled for at period of time, medication may be able to be stopped. In particular, in people who have made significant changes to their lifestyle (such as lost a lot of weight, stopped heavy drinking, etc). Your doctor will be able to advise you if you can reduce any of your medication.
Smoking does not directly affect the level of your blood pressure. However, smoking greatly adds to your health risk if you already have high blood pressure and diabetes. If you smoke, you should make every effort to stop.
Life Shortening Condition Of High Blood Pressure
Most people are surprised when they are given a diagnosis of high blood pressure. They have no symptoms and usually feel perfectly healthy. But their disorder, if left untreated, can lead to a stroke, heart failure and other problems just as serious.
After the first diagnosis, the dilemma is how best to bring the pressure down, people with mild hypertension, the majority of high-blood pressure cases, have many options: life-style changes, drugs, or a combination of both.
Moreover, with dozens of blood pressure drugs on the marker, if one causes undue side effects, the doctor can usually prescribe another that does not. So if you have high blood pressure, take heart: this is a very treatable disease.
۩ When treatment is necessary:
Blood pressure represents the push of blood against the walls of the arteries. The first, higher number in a reading is the systolic pressure, recorded when your heart beats. The second number is the diastolic, when your heart is at rest. A reading of 120/80 or less is considered the healthiest.
Certain people are more at risk for high blood pressure than others, especially those with family histories of the disorder, blacks and the elderly. But high blood pressure is so common that every one should be tested initially at age three, during adolescence and early adulthood, and once every two years after that if pressure has been normal.
Many doctors treat all patients with diastolic pressure above 90. The practice is not universal though. Careful watchful waiting between 95 and 104, if there is no evidence of strain on the heart, eyes or kidneys. Some people return to normal pressure with no treatment, and that the drugs prescribed are often riskier than mild hypertension.
۩ Changing your habits:
For diastolic 104, drugs are clearly the first line of defense. Your doctor may prescribe drugs for lower pressure if you have a family history of hypertension or have blood vessel or organ damage. But for mildly elevated pressures, you may be better off by making some life-style changes. The key steps:
۩ Take off weight:
Losing just ten pounds, and keeping it off, is often enough to bring pressure back down to normal. Crash, diets, however, with their resulting weight swings, may do more harm than good.
۩ Exercise:
Even if no weight is lost, regular exercise can reduce blood pressure.
۩ Reduce salt intake:
Use in moderation. This is hard since 70 % of the salt in food may be put there before it reaches the table. But 20 to 25% of those with mild hypertension can get back to normal by greatly lowering salt intake.
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