Diabetics Can Experience Hypertension, Is It Really Related?

Checking blood sugar regularly is something that is important for diabetics to do. However, an important thing that also cannot be overlooked is other health problems that can arise, one of which is hypertension. What is the relationship between diabetes and hypertension? Check out the full explanation here.

Relationship between Diabetes and Hypertension

People with diabetes are twice as likely to have hypertension or high blood pressure as people without diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that distributes glucose throughout the body. When insulin does not work effectively, there is a buildup of sugar in the blood.

Excessive blood sugar can reduce the elasticity of blood vessels and make them narrow, so that blood flow will slow down. This condition will increase blood pressure.

Blood vessel damage can also occur in the kidneys. Damaged blood vessels cause the kidneys to be unable to get an efficient blood supply.

As a result, the kidneys become less efficient at filtering blood and cause an increase in water and salt in the blood. These changes will cause hypertension.

Also Read: Can Eating Too Much Rice Cause Diabetes?

Normal Blood Pressure for Diabetics

Blood pressure shows the pressure with which the heart pumps blood in the blood vessels throughout the body. For people with diabetes, blood pressure is not more than 130/80.

The first number indicates the systolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart pumps blood around the body.

The second number represents the diastolic pressure, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart is not pumping and blood is flowing from all over the body to the heart.

Preventing Hypertension in Diabetics

There are several ways you can do to reduce the risk of diabetes complications, including:

1. Reducing Salt Intake

Salt consumption of less than 5 grams per day can reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Although salt is an essential nutrient for maintaining plasma volume, acid-base balance, and normal cell function; excess salt in the body can cause an increase in blood volume in the body. This condition will increase blood pressure.

2. Regular exercise

Regular exercise can keep blood pressure within the normal range. You are advised to exercise moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes a day.

Some aerobic exercises that can lower blood pressure include: walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and dancing. You can also do more intense exercise, such as high-intensity interval training.

Also Read: Why Can Diabetics Lose Weight Drastically?

3. Reducing Stress

Long-term stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Some ways you can do to reduce stress are focusing on things that can be controlled, taking time to relax and enjoy activities you like, and avoiding conditions that cause stress.

4. Enough and quality sleep

Poor sleep quality or sleeping less than 6 hours a day for several weeks can contribute to hypertension. Some things that can disturb sleep such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndromeand insomnia.

If you don’t have sleep disorders, but can’t sleep at night, you can develop a sleeping habit.

Some ways to build sleep habits include going to bed and getting up at the same time, making the bedroom atmosphere conducive to sleep, and reducing naps.

5. Monitor Blood Pressure Routinely

Routine to the doctor is needed for consultation about how often self-measurement of blood pressure is needed, lifestyle changes, or diet to prevent the onset of hypertension caused by diabetes.

DoctorHealthy | © 2023 PT Media Kesehatan Indonesia. Copyright Protected