Keeping track of your blood pressure is important, especially if you’re diabetic. High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes both increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney and nerve complications.
Two out of three adults with diabetes have high blood pressure. The only way to find out if you have it is to visit the doctor regularly and have your blood pressure taken. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer.” But if doctors catch it early, they can help control it. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 and anything above 140/90 signals high blood pressure. Because of the risks of high blood pressure to people with diabetes, doctors recommend that diabetics have a lower blood pressure than normal.
When high blood pressure stays high, it can damage the small filtering vessels of the kidney. Diabetes can damage the kidneys too and, when combined with high blood pressure, it can become even more serious. Diabetes also increases the risk of atherosclerosis (the buildup of sticky plaque in the blood vessels), which can cause heart disease and strokes.
Blood pressure can be controlled through diet, exercise and medication. Here are some easy tips to help reduce blood pressure:
* Eat whole-grain breads and cereals.
* Use herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods.
* Check food labels and choose foods with less than 400 mg of sodium per serving.
* Lose weight or take steps to prevent weight gain.
* Limit alcohol consumption.
* Get help to quit smoking.
Take prescribed blood pressure medication.Here are the most common medications for treating high blood pressure:
* Diuretics eliminate excess water and salt from the body. This helps relieve the pressure on blood vessels.
* ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) block a type of protein that can cause blood vessels to tighten. An ACE inhibitor stops the enzyme from being released in your body, which helps blood vessels relax.
* ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) work on blocking the same artery-constricting enzyme that ACE inhibitors do. Although they work in a different way, they still offer similar kidney protection as the ACEs.
* Beta blockers help your heart by lowering the workload and helping it relax. They help prevent heart attack and stroke.
* Calcium channel blockers also reduce the workload on the heart and blood vessels.
Lifestyle changes can go a long way towards helping diabetics live a longer, stronger and healthier life.
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