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Diabetes And High Blood Pressure
By Syed Rizvi
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries (blood vessels). Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Your blood pressure is recorded as two figures. For example, 130/80 mmHg. This is said as '130 over 80'.
The top (first) number is the systolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.
The bottom (second) number is the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between each heartbeat.
What is high blood pressure?
This is not as simple to answer as it may seem. In general, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk to health. Depending on various factors, the level at which blood pressure is said to be high can vary from person to person.
If you have without any complications You will usually be advised to take medication to lower your blood pressure if your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above. If you have with certain complications
You will usually be advised to take medication to lower your blood pressure if your blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg or above. Especially, if you have any kidney complications from diabetes.
People without diabetes
The 'cut off point' that is said to be 'high' is 140/90 or above. However, people without and with a low risk of developing health problems may not be advised to take medication for blood pressure unless the pressure is 160/100 mmHg or above.
Note: high blood pressure means that the blood pressure remains above the cut off point each time it is taken. That is, the blood pressure is 'sustained' at the level higher than it should be, and is not just a 'one off' high reading when you happen to be stressed. High blood pressure can be:
just a high systolic pressure, for example, 170/70 mmHg.
just a high diastolic pressure, for example, 120/104 mmHg.
or both, for example, 170/110 mmHg.
What causes high blood pressure?
The cause is not known in most cases
This is called 'essential hypertension'. The pressure in the blood vessels depends on how hard the heart pumps, and how much resistance there is in the arteries. It is thought that slight narrowing of the arteries increases the resistance to blood flow, which increases the blood pressure. The cause of the slight narrowing of the arteries is not clear. Various factors probably contribute.
(It is a bit like water in a hose pipe. The water pressure is increased
if you open the tap more, but also if you make the hose pipe narrower by partially blocking the outflow with your thumb.)
Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) causes some cases
A complication which develops in some people with is called diabetic nephropathy. In this condition the kidneys are damaged which can cause high blood pressure. This is more common in people with Type 1 diabetes.
Rarely, high blood pressure is caused by other conditions
It is then called 'secondary hypertension'. For example, certain kidney or hormone problems can cause high blood pressure.
How common is high blood pressure?
In the UK, about half of people over 65, and about 1 in 4 middle aged adults, have high blood pressure. It is less common in younger adults. Most cases are mildly high (up to 160/100 mmHg). However, at least 1 in 20 adults have blood pressure of 160/100 mmHg or above. High blood pressure is more common in people:
with diabetes. About 3 in 10 people with Type 1 and more than half of people with Type 2 eventually develop high blood pressure.
from African-Caribbean origin.
from the Indian sub-continent.
with a family history of high blood pressure.
with certain lifestyle factors. That is, those who: are overweight, eat a lot of salt, don't eat much fruit and vegetables, don't take much exercise, or drink a lot of alcohol.
Do I need any tests?
If you are diagnosed as having high blood pressure you are likely to be examined by your doctor and have some routine tests which include:
A urine test to check if you have protein or blood in your urine.
A blood test to check that your kidneys are working fine, and to check your cholesterol level.
A heart tracing (an ECG).
The purpose of the examination and tests is to:
Rule out (or diagnose) a 'secondary' cause of high blood pressure such as kidney disease.
To check to see if the high blood pressure has affected the heart.
To check if you have other 'risk factors' such as a high cholesterol level.
Several of these tests are tests that are routinely done anyway if you have diabetes, even if you do not have high blood pressure. Syed Rizvi Read more about Diabetes and High Blood Pressure and Laser Surgery | Surgical Instrument | Manicure.
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