The link between diabetes and hypertension

Naresh's April 14, 2022

 


·         Identification

·         Link

·         Complications

·         Risk factors

·         Prevention

·         Outlook

High blood pressure, or hypertension, often occurs alongside diabetes and obesity. Together, these conditions fall under the umbrella of metabolic syndrome. People with metabolic syndrome are at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Hypertension and diabetes share a number of common causes and risk factors. A person who has one condition is at an increased risk for developing the other. Likewise, a person who has both conditions may find that each condition worsens the other.

This article provides information on the link between high blood pressure and diabetes, including how to identify, prevent, and treat each condition.

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Identifying hypertension and diabetes

Some relatively simple tests are available to help a person identify whether they have diabetes or hypertension.

Identifying hypertension


The American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source states that most people who have hypertension do not experience any symptoms. People usually discover that they have hypertension following a routine blood pressure check.

A blood pressure reading will display numbers representing two different types of blood pressure: systolic and diastolic.

  • Systolic: This number appears at the top. It represents the maximum pressure the heart exerts when beating.
  • Diastolic: This number appears at the bottom. It represents the amount of pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

The AHATrusted Source categorizes blood pressure readings according to the following parameters:

  • Normal: Systolic is below 120 and diastolic is below 80.
  • Elevated: Systolic is 120–129 and diastolic is below 80.
  • Hypertension stage 1: Systolic is 130–139 or diastolic is 80–89.
  • Hypertension stage 2: Systolic is 140 or higher, or diastolic is 90 or higher.
  • Hypertensive crisis: Systolic is higher than 180 or diastolic is above 120.

A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency, and a person requires immediate medical attention to prevent severe complications.

Identifying diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), not everyone with diabetes will experience symptoms of the disease.

If symptoms of high blood glucose levels do appear, they may include:

  • excessive thirst
  • excessive hunger
  • frequent need to urinate
  • extreme fatigue
  • blurred vision
  • delayed wound healing

A person may also find that they become more susceptible to infections, such as:

  • urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • thrush
  • upper respiratory tract infections

People can take a fasting glucose test to help identify diabetes. The ADA provides the following parameters for blood glucose levels following a fasting period of at least 8 hours:

  • Normal: This is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).
  • Prediabetes: This is between 100–125 mg/dl.
  • Diabetes: This is a reading of 126 mg/dl or above.

Other tests for diabetes can show blood glucose levels after drinking a sugary drink.

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Types of diabetes and their symptoms

There are three kinds of diabetes, all of which have different causes:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The disease tends to appear during childhood or adolescence, though it can occur later in life.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs as a result of insulin resistance. This is where body cells lose their ability to respond to insulin. The pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin, but the process is not sustainable.

Current guidelines recommend diabetes screening for everyone ages 45 years or above, and anyone younger who has risk factors for the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow or even reverse the disease, reducing the risk of complications.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs only in pregnancy, though around 50%Trusted Source of females with this form go on to develop type 2 diabetes.

If a routine screening shows high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, a doctor will monitor the person’s condition until a few weeks after delivery. In most cases, blood sugar levels return to normal immediately after delivery.


Source : Medical News Today


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