Diabetes And High Blood Pressure:
A Dangerous Combination

Diabetes and high blood pressure can relate to each other. Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to use glucose, or sugars, properly when they enter your blood stream. Insulin is the key hormone in diabetes. Many of the treatments for controlling your insulin levels also improves your heart's health.  So I'll provide you with some ideas on how to protect your heart.

Even though I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure for over ten years, I am so glad that to-date I have not developed diabetes.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are so connected that the American Heart Association states that two-thirds of people with diabetes will most likely died from a heart attack or stroke.  So learning how to protect your heart's health is very important in controlling your diabetes.

The three types of metabolic diseases of diabetes, also includes gestational diabetes - that applies only to pregnant women who never had diabetes and high blood pressure before getting pregnant.  With this disease you have high blood sugar and your body either does not produce enough insulin or your cells do not respond well to the insulin that your body produces.

The classical symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination and increased thirst.

Diabetes And High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure occurs when the amount of pressure in the arteries is too high, which can harm the heart itself, as well as many of the organs in your body.

High blood pressure is one of the risk factors for developing diabetes and for the worsening of complications of diabetes once you have it.  For example, those who have diabetes and develop high blood pressure, could possibly be diagnosed with diabetic eye disease and/or kidney disease some time during their life.

The effects of high blood pressure can be devastating if left uncontrolled.

Up to 60 percent of those who have diabetes will have high blood pressure. You should know that there is an increased risk of developing many complications when both conditions are present.

Diabetes affects the arteries, which are the blood pathways that run to and from your heart. Diabetes and hypertension harm the arteries significantly, which makes it easier for atherosclerosis to develop.

Atherosclerosis is hardening of the arteries. If the high blood pressure is not treated, it can lead to heart failure, damage to the blood vessels, stroke and kidney failure.  The facts are, if you do not treat high blood pressure, it is likely to cause complications for your overall health.

How High Is Too High?

When it comes to determining how high hypertension can be before the development of high blood pressure, anything is a problem.

High, yet normal blood pressure readings, which is called pre-hypertension, can be dangerous if you are diabetic.

Those with a blood pressure between 120-139/80-89 are likely to develop hypertension which increases the risk of heart disease.

If you have high blood pressure, or you have diabetes, it is critical to focus on reducing these factors.

High Blood Pressure And Diabetes Improvements Can Happen

One of the best bits of news for the individual struggling with diabetes and high blood pressure is the fact that you can overcome these conditions.  By treating the diabetes, you lessen the risk factors for high blood pressure. 

With care and lifestyle changes, most people can reduce the risk and increase their overall health even with these risk factors. 

Your Resource Center

I have read this book, and am suggesting that you get a copy for yourself, I found Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars to be an unique resource that covers both adult-and-childhood-onset diabetes.

He explains step-by-step how to normalize blood sugar levels, prevent or reverse complications, and offers detailed guidelines for establishing a treatment plan.

Also, there are fifty gourmet recipes in addition to a comprehensive discussion of diet, obesity and new drugs to curb carbohydrate craving and overeating.

This book is very informative on insulin resistance, blood-testing devices, measuring blood sugar, new types of insulin, gastroparesis and other issues, as well as updated diet guidelines.

Dr. Berstein's Diabetes Solution is the one book every diabetic must own.

Take a look at this book and try some of the Doctor's ideas and suggestions. You may actually reverse your diabetes and also lower your high blood pressure.  It is a great way to further your ongoing effort to prevent and control both these diseases.

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