Diabetes and hypertension are two of the most common conditions worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension share common causes, which explains the large number of diabetic patients with hypertension and vice versa. Treating high blood pressure in diabetics is part of the diabetes control and treatment plan.
The link between diabetes and hypertension
Both are non-communicable diseases, caused, among other things, by an unhealthy lifestyle, sedentary lifestyle, and overweight or obesity.
Several studies carried out in countries in Europe, America (United States and Latin America) and Japan indicate that almost half of patients with diabetes also have hypertension.
Risk factors for diabetes include:
- High body weight
- Unhealthy diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure
- Age
- Family history of diabetes
- Low glucose tolerance (GLT)
- If age, ethnicity, or family history cannot be controlled, diet, lifestyle, and hypertension control are modifiable factors that can and should be controlled by the patient with the support of the specialist
Vascular complications in patients with diabetes
Complications of diabetes mellitus are classified into microvascular complications and macrovascular complications and contribute to decreased quality of life and a high mortality rate. Hyperglycaemia plays a crucial role in the occurrence and evolution of microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina), diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), and diabetic neuropathy (damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system – the diabetic foot), while atherosclerosis (accumulation of fatty substances, atheroma, on the walls of the arteries, narrowing them) contributes to the development of macrovascular complications.
Hypertension and hyperglycemia are often both present. High blood pressure, above 140/90 mmHg, is common among patients with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and hypertension | Prevention and control
Effective measures for the prevention and control of diabetes are also beneficial in the non-pharmacological treatment of high blood pressure:
- Maintaining a normal weight
- Physical activity, at least 30 minutes of regular physical activity (sports, walking, gardening)
- Avoiding foods high in trans fatty acids used in the production of margarine, snacks, fast food, biscuits, waffles, croissants, custards, sweet spreads, and ready-made sauces
- Avoiding foods high in saturated fats (fatty meats, sausages, sausages, pastries, etc.)
- Including fresh vegetables in your daily diet
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Avoiding tobacco – smoking increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Routine medical consultation and routine laboratory tests are essential in the prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension
