May 09 2009
Treating High Blood Pressure In People With Diabetes
An important part of taking care of yourself is keeping your blood pressure under control . High blood pressure also called hypertension raises your risk for heart attack, stroke, eye problems and kidney disease. As many as two out of three adults with diabetes have high blood pressure. Having your blood pressure checked regularly and taking action to reach your blood pressure target can prevent or delay diabetes problems.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood Pressure is the force of blood flow inside your blood vessels. When your health care team checks your blood pressure, they record two numbers, such as 130/80 mmHg. You’ll hear them say this as “one-thirty over 80. Both numbers are important:
- the first number is the pressure as your heartbeats ans pushes blood through the blood vessels. Health care providers call this the “systolic pressure.
- The second number is the pressure when the vessels relax between heart beats. It’s called the “diastolic” pressure.
When the blood moves through your vessels with too much force, you have high blood pressure. Your heart has to work harder when blood pressure is high, and your risk for diabetes pressure is high, and your risk for diabetes problems goes up. High blood pressure is a problem that won’t go away without treatment.
What is the recommended target for blood pressure?
Both diabetes and high blood pressure increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, and eye and kidney disease. Because of this, people with diabetes have a lower blood pressure target than the general public. It is recommended that people with diabetes target a blood pressure of less than 130/80 mmHg. When you keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg, you’ll be lowering your risk for diabetes problems.
How will I Know If I have High Blood Pressure?
How blood pressure is a silent problem you won’t know that you have it unless your health care provider checks your blood pressure. It is recommended that you have your blood pressure checked at every office visit, or at least two to four times a year.
