Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Diabetes

When people have diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure can cause them to suffer from more serious diabetes complications. As a result, diabetics need to monitor not only their blood glucose levels but also their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
 
If a diabetic starts exhibiting the symptoms of high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, he should see a physician immediately for a proper diagnosis. Diagnosing both of these health conditions early is key to treating and controlling them to prevent further diabetes complications.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure measurements of 120/80 are considered to be "normal" and healthy. The first number is called the systolic pressure, the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number is the diastolic pressure, the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. Anyone with a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered to have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

High blood pressure is twice as likely to be a health issue for diabetics than it is for non-diabetics. While long-term, untreated high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke in non-diabetics, those with diabetes are at an even higher risk of suffering from these health complications. Similarly, hypertension can also cause diabetics to suffer from:

  • foot problems that can lead to the need for amputation
  • enlarged hearts
  • kidney problems
  • nerve damage
  • vision problems that can lead to blindness.

Consequently, patients with diabetes need to take special measures to manage their blood pressure. When it comes to controlling blood pressure levels, diabetics will need to make some lifestyle changes that include:

  • eating healthy
  • exercising
  • limiting alcohol intake
  • limiting salt intake
  • maintaining a healthy weight
  • stopping smoking
  • working with your doctor.
If these lifestyle changes don’t significantly lower your blood pressure, then your doctor may prescribe medication that will lower your numbers.

Diabetes and High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is another condition that can contribute to the onset of serious diabetic complications. Cholesterol is a soft, fatty substance that the body uses to form cells that are used in the skin, muscles, heart and other organs. However, while the body needs cholesterol, excessive levels of cholesterol in the blood can put patients at a high risk for suffering from:
  • an enlarged heart
  • arrhythmias
  • atherosclerosis (a condition marked by the constriction, clogging and hardening of arteries, obstructing the flow of blood to the hard)
  • coronary heart disease
  • heart attack
  • heart disease
  • stroke.

Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing these complications, as well as the possible complications associated with diabetes itself. In fact, as with hypertension, having high cholesterol means that the chances of having health complications are doubled.

As a result, while managing cholesterol levels is important for any adult, it is especially important for those with diabetes. The best way to control cholesterol is by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. For some people, diet and exercise are not enough to lower cholesterol levels. In these cases, doctors may prescribe medications that will help lower cholesterol levels.

Heart Disease Statistics

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can lead to various forms of heart (cardiovascular) disease. Here are some shocking statistics about heart disease and diabetes:
  • About 7 percent (roughly 1.5 million) Americans suffer from diabetes.
  • Cardiovascular disease causes about 50 percent of deaths in the United States.
  • Diabetics are about 3 times more likely than non-diabetics to die from a stroke.
  • Diabetics are around 3 times more likely than non-diabetics to die from heart disease.
  • Diabetics are around 3 times more likely than non-diabetics to have a stroke.
  • Males typically suffer from heart attacks a decade earlier in life than females do.
  • Over 2,500 people in the United States die each day from a heart attack.
  • Stroke and heart conditions are responsible for around 65 percent of diabetics’ deaths.
  • While 9 people die from heart disease every 5 minutes in the United States, 15 people die from a heart attack in the same amount of time.

Resources

American Diabetes Association (2007). Complications of Diabetes in the United States. Retrieved September 11, 2007 from the ADA Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/complications.jsp.

Kinshuck, David (2007). Blood Pressure and Diabetes. Retrieved September 8, 2007 from the MedWeb Web site: http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/Diabetes%20
and%20Blood%20Pressure.htm.

Phillips, Kenneth, Jr. M.D. F.A.C.C. (2005). Controlling Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. Retrieved September 8, 2007 from the Medical Moment Web site: http://www.medicalmoment.org/_content/signs/feb05/
298035.asp.
 
University of Virginia Health System (2004). Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. Retrieved September 8, 2007 from the University of Virginia Web site: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_diabetes/
hbp.cfm.
 
WebMD.com. (2007). Diabetes: High Blood Pressure. Retrieved September 8, 2007 from the Web MD Web site: http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/
guide/high-blood-pressure.