World Hypertension Day 2023: Link between high blood pressure and diabetes, important lifestyle changes

High blood pressure is the main risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and World Hypertension Day is observed every year on 17 May to raise awareness and promote the prevention, detection and control of hypertension or high blood pressure. Poor lifestyle choices, including lack of exercise (sedentary) and poor dietary choices, are some of the main causes of high blood pressure. If it is not taken care of in time, then there may be a risk of heart disease or stroke. In addition, high blood pressure is linked to another common but serious lifestyle disorder – diabetes, high blood sugar. Dr Sanjay Raina, Head, Department of Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, explains how.

How high blood pressure and diabetes are linked

Hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes (high blood sugar) are linked together in many ways. Hypertension and diabetes are two lifestyle disorders that are quite common in the general population. Dr Sanjay Raina explains:

– Both are chronic conditions caused by many factors and are particularly related to lifestyle, stress and obesity.
Both conditions are major risk factors for atherosclerosis leading to ischemic heart disease and stroke, the leading cause of death in the world. It is important to note that the combined effects of high blood pressure and diabetes are hyper-additive in causing these diseases.
Apart from heart disease, both hypertension and diabetes cause microvascular complications leading to blindness, chronic kidney disease, etc.

High blood pressure and diabetes: risk factors for each other

It is interesting to observe that hypertension and diabetes are in themselves risk factors for each other in a bidirectional manner. Dr. Raina says that in the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study, 58% of people with diabetes had high blood pressure and 44% of people with high blood pressure had high glucose levels. He says, “In the US population, high blood pressure occurs in about 30% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 50% to 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop it than people with normal blood pressure.” Chances are.”

Also Read: 10 Best Fruits That Can Lower High Blood Pressure

World Hypertension Day 2023: Keep blood pressure under control

Studies have shown that the causative mechanisms linking the two conditions – hypertension and diabetes – are multifactorial and range from genetic mutations to lifestyle issues such as smoking and obesity, says Dr Raina. He shares, “Keeping blood pressure under control is very important to prevent a myriad of diseases that result from it. It is more common in people with diabetes who are already prone to these diseases.”

According to Dr. Raina, things that can control high blood pressure and prevent damage to organs are:

1. control blood sugar in people with diabetes
2. smoking cessation
3. a balanced healthy diet
4. get more than 45 minutes of regular exercise most days and be more active
5. maintaining a healthy body weight
6. stopping or reducing alcohol consumption
7. reduce salt intake
8. engaging in stress-relieving activities
9. Have regular follow-ups with your doctor for evaluation and compliance with prescribed treatment