High blood sugar levels can cause hypertension in a variety of ways. However, some of the same lifestyle adjustments that might help control diabetes can also help with blood pressure management.
Two out of every three patients with diabetes have high blood pressure (hypertension) or take blood pressure medication.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are strongly linked. Diabetes not only has common risk factors and causes, but it may also contribute to high blood pressure. Insulin resistance and high blood glucose levels can eventually lead to high blood pressure issues.
The diseases, when combined, increase a person’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and other consequences. Both, however, can be treated with lifestyle changes and medicine.
The Relationship Between Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
Let us begin by delving deeper into the relationship between diabetes and high blood pressure. What are their similarities, and how can diabetes increase your risk of hypertension?
Damage to Blood Vessels
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. It controls the level of glucose in your blood. Diabetes patients either do not create enough insulin or their cells do not respond properly to insulin. To stay alive, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day. Type 2 diabetes patients may also require insulin to maintain their illness, although it can also be managed with alternative medications.
Insulin resistance impairs the body’s capacity to use nitric oxide, a chemical that causes the inner muscles of blood vessels to relax and allow blood to flow more freely. When the body’s natural technique of lowering blood pressure using nitric oxide is disrupted, blood arteries lose elasticity and begin to impede blood and oxygen flow. This increases the risk of hypertension over time.
Kidney Impairment
Diabetic nephropathy, often known as kidney disease in diabetics, is a common consequence. People with type 1 diabetes and those who have uncontrolled high blood sugar levels are the most vulnerable to kidney injury.
Hundreds of thousands of small nephrons in the kidney filter the blood, remove waste, and maintain optimum fluid balance. High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the kidney and nephrons over time, resulting in kidney disease.
Your body may retain salt and water if your kidneys do not operate properly. These modifications contribute to elevated blood pressure.
Causes and Risk Factors of Diabetes and Hypertension
According to one research of adults over the age of 18, roughly three out of every four patients with diabetes also had hypertension. Because they share many of the same causes and risk factors, the illnesses are largely comorbid.
They are as follows:
A sedentary way of life
Inflammation that lasts a long time
Insulin sensitivity
Obesity, often known as being overweight
Oxidative stress occurs when the body produces more toxic byproducts than it can properly filter out through regular metabolic processes.
High Blood Pressure Signs and Symptoms
It is a common misconception that people with hypertension sweat profusely, have a flushed face, or have difficulty sleeping or being calm.
High blood pressure, also known as “the silent killer,” frequently shows no symptoms. Measuring your blood pressure is the most accurate approach to determine if you have hypertension.
How is Blood Pressure Determined?
Blood pressure measurement is a straightforward and painless medical test. A flexible, inflatable cuff will be wrapped around your upper arm by a healthcare provider. The cuff tightens as they inflate it. The cuff then loosens as the air is expelled.
A blood pressure gauge is attached to the cuff. Although some providers employ automatic blood pressure cuffs that display a digital reading, the idea remains the same.
You should not eat or drink anything 30 minutes before the test to guarantee the most accurate reading. You should also urinate briefly before the test to ensure that your bladder is empty.
Place both feet on the ground and sit comfortably. The cuffed arm should rest on a table or stand at chest height. Place the cuff on bare skin and adjust the fit so that it is snug but not too tight.
What Is a Normal Blood Pressure? Blood Pressure Levels
Blood pressure is expressed in millimeters of mercury (abbreviated “mm Hg”). A blood pressure reading has two numbers. The first figure represents systolic blood pressure. When your heart beats, it measures the pressure in your arteries. The second value is diastolic pressure. This measures the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats when your heart is at rest.
The systolic number comes after the diastolic number. A healthy person’s blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mm Hg. It’s pronounced “120 over 80.” According to current American College of Cardiology guidelines, the following are the parameters for accurate blood pressure measurement (meaning less than):
Typical: 120/80 mm Hg
Elevated: 120-129/80 mmHg
Stage 1 hypertension: 130 to 139 mm Hg or 80 to 89 mm Hg
Stage 2 hypertension: 140 mm Hg or greater, or 90 mm Hg or higher
Stage 3 hypertension: 160 or higher mm Hg or 100 or higher mm Hg
If you have high blood pressure, you should check it more frequently. Make careful to discuss how frequently you should test with your doctor.
What is the Normal Blood Pressure for Diabetics?
Diabetes patients should keep a tight eye on their blood pressure.
“Typically, we recommend that someone living with diabetes have lower blood pressure than the general population—ideally less than 130/80,” says Dr. Soumya Hullannavar, Lead Ayurveda Endocrine Specialist at Diabetes Reversal Clinics & EliteAyurveda Clinics.
Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Complications
High blood pressure is common in patients who have both diabetes and obesity. These disorders are grouped together under the umbrella term metabolic syndrome. People who have metabolic syndrome are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and other major health problems.
“There are many dangerous complications when someone has both diabetes and high blood pressure,” says Dr. Soumya. Cardiovascular disease [heart attack, heart failure, stroke] and kidney disease are two of the consequences we keep an eye out for.”
Cardiovascular Illness
The term cardiovascular disease refers to a group of disorders that affect the circulatory system, including the heart, blood arteries, and blood itself. Comorbid high blood pressure and diabetes can result in atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries), stroke, heart failure, and heart attack.
Kidney Illness
High blood pressure can promote blood channel constriction and restrict blood flow to and from the kidneys. Kidneys that are damaged are unable to filter and eliminate fluid and waste.
Excess fluid produces hypertension, which perpetuates the kidney damage cycle. Kidney failure occurs when the kidney function falls below 15%. Individuals will then require dialysis or an organ transplant.
Disease of the Peripheral Arteries
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body constrict. Although it can affect all of the extremities, it usually affects the legs and feet (lower-extremity PAD).
Atherosclerosis is to blame for the disorder. Diabetes type 2 is a major risk factor for PAD.
Neuropathy
Another umbrella term for a set of disorders associated with peripheral nerve system injury is neuropathy. If the crucial connections between the brain and the body are disturbed, complex bodily functions may fail or cease entirely.
The individual may not feel pain in their extremities and may not realize they are harmed, or wounds in these areas may not heal or may become infected. The symptoms differ depending on which nerves are impacted.
Practical Guidelines for Managing or Lowering High Blood Pressure
According to your doctor’s instructions, you can control and lower your blood pressure by making simple lifestyle modifications, either with or without medication. A better lifestyle can also reduce your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes and a variety of other diseases.
Lifestyle habits for lowering high blood pressure (which can help with diabetes symptoms):
Consume a healthy diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Reduce your salt intake by reading food labels, eating less processed foods, and cooking at home.
Exercise frequently, aiming for 30 minutes of moderate activity each day or at least 150 minutes per week.
Limit alcohol consumption to fewer than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for males (for those who drink alcohol—if you don’t, it’s best not to start).
Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, art, or any other activity that brings you joy can help you manage stress.
Quit smoking because it has been found to raise blood pressure.
Maintain a healthy weight in accordance with your age, height, and activity level.
According to Dr. Soumya, in addition to a healthy lifestyle, many people “oftentimes require medication to effectively manage their blood pressure.”
You should never replace lifestyle changes for medical supervision. Any symptoms or concerns should always be discussed with your doctor. Before beginning an exercise programme, consult with them.
Discuss your risk of high blood pressure with your doctor if you have diabetes. Extra monitoring, medication, or particular lifestyle modifications may be required to control your blood pressure levels and avoid issues later in life.
Our Outlook –
How are we able to Treat Diabetes Completely?
“Madhumeha” is the term for Diabetes in Ayurveda, which means ‘Sweet urine’. The manifestation of diabetes is through thirst or urination. According to Ayurveda, due to accumulation of Vata Dosha. Vata dosha accumulates in the large intestine and travels to the pancreas, which hampers its functioning.
Sometimes, Pitta Dosha also leads to diabetes. This is when Pitta gets accumulated in the small intestine before moving to the liver and may cause damage to pancreas. As the main constituent of Pitta is Agni, it burns out pancreas leading to Diabetes.
If the above things are taken into consideration, the treatment of Diabetes in Ayurveda starts with proper cleansing of the body and balancing of doshas. The treatment includes herbal combinations that are prepared based on individual Prakruti and Vikruti analysis. Ie. The treatment is based on a person’s body composition & which dosha is dominant. The treatments like Dhara, Udwarthanam, Thalam, etc are followed to reverse diabetes. The treatment also includes Panchakarma & Yoga procedures to address the root cause of disease. We have seen many patients successfully reversing Diabetes and now living a healthy life.
Unlike other treatment procedures that jump straight to symptom management, we address the root-cause of the disease. Our treatment for Diabetes has proved to achieve a near cure and symptom-free state. We focus on diet, use of potent herbs, meditation, massage with herbal oils and yoga. These classical ayurveda practices have proven & shown sustained results in our Diabetes Treatment.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Soumya Hullannavar, Lead Ayurveda Endocrine Specialist at Diabetes Reversal Clinics & EliteAyurveda Clinics. With over 15 years of experience in treating endocrine & diabetes cases
Visit diabetesreversal.clinic for additional details.
