Does High Blood Pressure Lead To High Blood Sugar
While a causal relationship between high blood sugar and high blood pressure seems more likely, there is accumulating evidence that the relationship is bidirectional. People with high blood pressure are more likely to also have problems with carbohydrate metabolism.2 In a cohort study of 12,550 adults, type 2 diabetes was almost 2.5 times more common in people with high blood pressure than in those with normal blood pressure.9
Having insulin resistance predicts an increased risk of high blood pressure.8,10 Insulin resistance plays an important role in the blood vessel changes that cause high blood pressure.9 Conversely, excessive blood vessel stiffness that causes high blood pressure also worsens insulin resistance.9 Lowering blood pressure can reduce damage to blood vessels and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes complications, and lowering blood sugar can reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
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Why Was Salt Blamed For Raising Blood Pressure
Previously it was believed that excess amount of salt is responsible for altering the homeostasis of the body. This could lead to long term health hazards like high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Research studies were conducted where a personâs normal diet was replaced by fruits and vegetables. It was found that blood pressure could be kept in check after executing this diet plan. However, the results are now being reconsidered. It is true that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables does not contain added salt but at the same time it does not contain any added sugar too. Moreover, the role of sugar was overlooked while interpreting the results. Contrary to popular belief salt has various health benefits. They are as follows:
- It is responsible to maintain the concentration of blood, plasma, and other body fluids.
- Salt is responsible for carrying various nutrients into the cells and out of it.
- Blood pressure is maintained and regulated.
- Salt can increase the glial cells of the brain.
- Useful in the generation of action potential to help in neural communication within the body.
- Salt loss can lead to fainting.
- Low levels of sodium can lead to a condition called hyponatremia. The symptoms of hyponatremia are as follows-
What Are The Problems Associated With The Low Levels Of Hdl Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is mainly synthesized by the liver. It can transport cholesterol from extrahepatic tissues to the liver for metabolism and then be excreted by bile. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol can protect blood vessels, prevent fat deposits on the inner walls of blood vessels, thereby preventing arteriosclerosis.
Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol has a great impact on the body and can easily lead to the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Eating more foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids is an effective way to increase HDL cholesterol. Such as rapeseed oil, avocado oil, olive oil, peanuts and soybeans and so on.
In addition, fresh vegetables and fruits rich in soluble fiber can also effectively increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
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How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet And Legs
If youre managing diabetes, you may encounter problems with your feet and legs, two common complications of the disease. Diabetes puts you at higher risk for calluses, corns, bunions, blisters, and ulcers and high blood sugar means these minor injuries and alterations may become gateways to potentially disabling infections.
But you can take several steps to help keep your feet in good shape, including wearing specialized footwear, having regular foot exams, and performing low-impact exercise.
Why does this complication occur in the first place? First, know that high blood sugar levels damage nerves. Researchers arent exactly sure how this damage happens, but they think that blood sugar may have a negative effect on the nervous systems cells and enzymes, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center. These damaged nerves may lead to diabetic neuropathy, a condition in which you lose feeling in your feet or your hands.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, neuropathy occurs in about 70 percent of people with diabetes, and its symptoms can result in harmful infections. After all, if you cant feel your feet, you wont be able to notice cuts, sores, or pain. And if you cant feel these irritations and wounds, they may lead to infection, and untreated infections can lead to gangrene, which in turn can require amputation.
Additional reporting by Carlene Bauer
You may know this condition from these symptoms:
How To Lower Blood Sugar At Home Fast
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Aside From Salt And Sugar What Raises Blood Pressure
In addition to high-salt and high-sugar products, foods that raise blood pressure include those that are high in saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fat can contribute to weight gain and metabolic syndrome while raising your risk of hypertension too.
Not eating enough potassium contributes to high blood pressure. Adequate potassium intake promotes electrolyte balance in the blood and helps counteract the effects of sodium.
Leading a sedentary lifestyle can raise your risk of developing hypertension. Without sufficient activity and exercise, the heart does not grow stronger as a muscle. As a result, the heart must work much harder to pump blood throughout the body, which causes blood flow to exert more pressure on arterial walls.
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The Connection Between Diabetes Kidney Disease And High Blood Pressure
Please note: This article was published more than two years ago, so some information may be outdated. If you have questions about your health, always contact a health care professional.
It’s a triple health threat faced by tens of millions of Americans. But few think about it until they’re forced to.
Even then, the interplay between diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease can be a challenge for people to grasp. But doctors say having an understanding is key for anybody who wants to reduce their risk or already has the conditions, or who helps a family member with them.
It’s especially important for people who could benefit from new medications but face barriers slowing their use.
More than 34 million people, or 10.5% of the U.S. population, have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases are Type 2, or adult-onset. When someone has diabetes, they can’t make or use insulin as well as they should. That causes blood sugar to rise, which leads to various complications throughout the body.
Dr. Vivek Bhalla, an associate professor of medicine and nephrology at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, summed it up: “Diabetes can affect small blood vessels. And that can result in hypertension. And that can also result in kidney disease.”
It can be a vicious cycle, said Bhalla, past chair of the American Heart Association’s Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease.
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What Is Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure your heart uses to push blood through your blood vessels and around your body.
There are two numbers used to describe blood pressure and its measured in millimetres of mercury . Its written like this: 130/80mmHg. And youll hear your doctor say ‘130 over 80’.
The first number is the systolic pressure. This is the most amount of pressure your heart uses when beating to push the blood around your body.
The second number is the diastolic pressure. This is the least amount of pressure your heart uses when it is relaxed between beats.
Using 130/80mmHg as an example, the systolic pressure here is 130mmHg and the diastolic pressure is 80mmHg.
Our video below explains all about blood pressure, and how it affects people with diabetes.
Best Practices For Preventing Low Blood Sugar
You may not always know when your blood sugar levels are too low, which is why itâs essential to understand your bodyâs dietary needs. It will help you keep your blood glucose levels within a healthy range. Diabetes can be one of the causes of hypoglycemia. But some of the other culprits here include smoking, excessive drinking, certain medications, hormonal deficiencies, and insulin overproduction.
Hypoglycemia usually occurs when you have gone a long time without eating, but that is not always the case. Another possible cause is long-duration exercise or high-intensity exercise, especially when done in the fasted state. This can lead to the depletion of liver and muscle glycogen, which can also cause hypoglycemia.
If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels within the target range is critical for your health. But even if you donât have diabetes, itâs crucial to understand how to prevent and treat low blood sugar.
Here are some tips to help you out:
- Eat regular meals at consistent times.
- Prepare food ahead of time when life might prevent you from missing a mealâyes, a little meal prepping goes a long way!
- Use a continuous glucose monitor to monitor your glucose trends in real-time.
- Keep heavy carbohydrate snacks on you when you leave your home so that you have a quick fix if you start experiencing symptoms.
- Work with your doctor and a registered dietitian to refine your diet to your unique needs.
- Limit your alcohol intake .
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Energy Drinks Can Cause Dehydration
It may come off as counterintuitive that drinks can actually dehydrate: After all, aren’t they liquid? But it’s entirely possible! According to , energy drinks, specifically caffeine, actively remove water from the body. This cumulates in an effect that can seriously dehydrate the body, especially when working out.
Healthline notes that energy drinks may also cause the consumer to urinate more frequently, which will also contribute to dehydration. Caffeine isn’t the only ingredient in energy drinks that may cause dehydration.
Energy drinks often contain taurine, an active amino acid that is often used in pre-workouts to help boost athletic performance . While this may provide a boost and even act as an appetite suppressant, it is extremely dangerous to take stimulants and work out as it can lead to considerable dehydration, so you might consider opting for other drinks for hydration, such as water.
Target Blood Pressure Levels
The first number in a blood pressure reading is known as the systolic reading, which is the pressure of your blood when your heart beats.
The second number is the diastolic reading, which is the blood pressure between heart beats.
The blood pressure targets set by NICE are slightly different depending on your type of diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes : Below 135/85 mmHg
If you have diabetic nephropathy or two signs of metabolic syndrome, the target is 130/80 mmHg
- Type 2 diabetes: Below 140/80 mmHg
If you have nephropathy, retinopathy or have cerebrovascular disease the target is 130/80 mmHg
The NHS regards an ideal blood pressure reading as being below 120/80mmHg
The target is to get your blood pressure below both of these numbers.
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Preventing High Blood Pressure With Diabetes
There are many lifestyle changes that can lower your blood pressure. Nearly all are dietary, but daily exercise is also recommended. Most doctors advise walking briskly for 30 to 40 minutes every day, but any aerobic activity can make your heart healthier.
The recommends a minimum of either:
- 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise
- 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise
- a combination of moderate and vigorous activity each week
In addition to lowering blood pressure, physical activity can strengthen the heart muscle. It may also reduce arterial stiffness. This happens as people age, but is often accelerated by type 2 diabetes. Exercise can also help you gain better control of your blood sugar levels.
Work directly with your doctor to develop an exercise plan. This is especially important if you:
- havent exercised before
- are trying to work up to something more strenuous
- are having trouble meeting your goals
Start with five minutes of brisk walking each day and increase it over time. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park your car farther from the store entrance.
You may be familiar with the need for improved eating habits, such as limiting sugar in your diet. But heart-healthy eating also means limiting:
- whole-fat dairy products
See Your Diabetes Educator
Work with a diabetes care and education specialist for help avoiding health complications such as heart disease. Youll get support and solutions and hear about the latest advances in managing diabetes. Find out more about how diabetes education can help you take the best care of yourself. And be sure to ask your doctor for a referral if you dont already have a diabetes educator.
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What Is The Recommended Blood Pressure Range For People With Diabetes
Its important to keep your blood pressure within a healthy range. This reduces your chances of your body developing further health complications.
Blood pressure should be below 140/80mmHg for people with diabetes or below 130/80mmHg if you have kidney or eye disease or any condition that affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain. But it is important to speak to your healthcare team about your individual target.
Whilst you may not have any symptoms of high blood pressure, it can be harmful to your health if left untreated. This is due to the increased pressure placed on your heart, eyes, kidneys and other organs.
As weve said previously, heart attack or stroke are some of the conditions your body becomes more vulnerable to with high blood pressure. Other conditions you become more at risk of include:
- Cardiovascular dementia
Manage Stress And Get Enough Sleep
Unmanaged chronic stress and inadequate or disrupted sleep are associated with metabolic syndrome, mainly through the impacts on inflammation and blood lipids. Finding a meaningful practice for managing stress and maintaining a regular sleep routine and consistently adequate sleep is critical for a balanced metabolism in the long term.
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Only Diabetics Get High Glucose Values
While a high glucose value can indicate diabetes, nondiabetics can also have higher values than normal. When researchers studied people wearing a continuous glucose monitor who did not have a diabetes diagnosis, they found 93% of individuals reached glucose levels that are considered dangerous, with 10% spending over 2 hours per day in these dangerous levels. Traditional glucose measurements, like a single point in time blood glucose value, are unable to capture these abnormalities.
There are actually several causes of high blood sugar unrelated to diabetes that the CDC recognizes. These include certain foods, like artificial sweeteners and coffee. Other factors like stress can do it, too. If you live with an endocrine or pancreatic condition, had surgery recently, or are experiencing intense physical stress , you may also see your glucose value rise.
Are Blood Sugar And Blood Pressure Related
by OmegaQuant | Sep 14, 2022 | Blood Pressure, Blood sugar, HbA1c, Research
Diabetes and high blood pressure commonly co-exist. In fact, a person with diabetes is twice as likely to have high blood pressure as someone who is diabetes free. Similarly, patients with high blood pressure are more resistant to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake than matched control groups with normal blood pressure.
Do these two medical conditions simply share common risk factors? Or is there a deeper relationship between blood pressure and blood sugar?
Blood Sugar Basics
When people eat foods, primarily carbohydrates, the digestive system breaks food down into sugar, which enters the blood. Blood sugar, or glucose, is the primary energy source for all cells in your body. Multiple hormones are in charge of regulating blood sugar levels on a regular basis. If blood sugar falls too low, known as hypoglycemia, the body will produce gluco-counter-regulatory hormones, including catecholamines.
These hormones, such as epinephrine, cortisol, growth hormone, and glucagon, act through different mechanisms to increase blood sugar levels. On the other hand, if blood sugar rises too high, referred to as hyperglycemia, the body produces insulin. This hormone drives sugar out of the bloodstream into the muscle, fat, and liver cells, ultimately decreasing blood sugar.
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Blood Pressure Basics
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