By comparison, the ADA states that 2 in 3 people with diabetes either report hypertension or are taking prescription medication to lower their blood pressure.

The above statistics suggest that people with diabetes have higher rates of hypertension compared to the general population. According to a article , people with high blood pressure usually have insulin resistance and have an increased risk of developing diabetes compared to those with typical blood pressure.

This may be due to bodily processes that link both conditions, such as:. So while hypertension might not cause diabetes directly, it could increase the risk of someone developing diabetes if they have high blood pressure. The combined impact of diabetes and high blood pressure can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease , kidney disease , and other health issues.

Without treatment, diabetes and high blood pressure may lead to serious complications , such as:. Hypertension and type 2 diabetes share similar risk factors.

Additional risk factors for hypertension include:. Having a family history of hypertension increases the risk of hypertension, suggesting a role for both genetic and environmental factors.

A close family history of diabetes also increases the risk of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Having hypertension appears to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, and having diabetes increases the risk of hypertension. The following lifestyle factors are crucial for managing both blood glucose levels and blood pressure.

For people with excess weight, losing even a little can help reduce the risk of both high blood pressure and diabetes. This equates to a loss of 10—14 pounds for a person who weighs pounds.

Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and help manage blood glucose levels, besides providing other health benefits. Current CDC guidelines recommend a minimum of minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week.

Moderate exercise includes brisk walking and swimming. People should also consider doing muscle strengthening exercises.

People who have not been active for a while can speak with their doctor for advice on a suitable exercise plan. People with diabetes and hypertension can ask their doctor for information and advice on an appropriate diet plan.

Doctors often recommend the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet for managing blood pressure and overall well-being. This typically includes:. Learn more here about what to eat on the DASH diet. A person with diabetes will need to monitor their intake of carbohydrates and check their blood glucose levels to ensure that their blood glucose remains within the healthy range.

High consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of the following:. The AHA recommends a maximum of one alcoholic drink per day for females and two alcoholic drinks per day for males.

One drink equates to one of the following:. Mixers can also add carbohydrates and calories. Sparkling water is a healthier option than sweetened soda. Tobacco smoking causes blood vessels to constrict, resulting in a temporary increase in blood pressure.

It also increases the buildup of plaque within the arteries, which can lead to increases in blood presssure over time.

Tobacco smoking can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Smokers with diabetes have a higher risk of developing serious complications, including:.

A person who has diabetes or high blood pressure, or is at risk of either condition, can speak with their doctor about how to quit smoking.

In addition to lifestyle measures, a doctor may prescribe medications to help manage diabetes and hypertension. For type 1 diabetes, a person will need to use insulin. They may also require medications to manage any complications, such as hypertension.

For type 2 diabetes, some people will need to use insulin. Others may use non-insulin medication, such as metformin , to help reduce blood pressure. People may also require medications to manage any complications, such as hypertension.

Current guidelines also recommend using one of the following if a person with type 2 diabetes has a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease , diabetes-related kidney disease, or both:.

Numerous medications are available to help manage hypertension. A doctor may prescribe a combination of medications. Some examples include :. Hypertension and diabetes often occur together and share multiple risk factors and causes.

Detecting and treating hypertension and diabetes promptly helps to prevent serious complications. Lifestyle adjustments can help manage blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

Some people may also require medications. People can discuss a suitable treatment plan with their healthcare professional. It is important to attend regular checkups to make sure blood pressure and blood glucose are within safe levels.

People with diabetes can use various strategies to lower their blood sugar levels. The options include lifestyle and dietary changes and natural…. Many people have high blood sugar levels but do not know it or find it hard to manage it effectively. When a person starts to manage their glucose….

People with diabetes may experience blood sugar spikes for various reasons. These spikes can sometimes lead to severe complications. Learn to prevent…. Researchers said baricitinib, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, showed promise in a clinical trial in helping slow the progression of type 1….

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Whilst you may not have any symptoms of high blood pressure, it can be harmful to your health if left untreated. This is due to the increased pressure placed on your heart, eyes, kidneys and other organs. Other conditions you become more at risk of include:.

By reducing your blood pressure to healthier levels, you reduce your risk of getting these health conditions. High blood pressure is sometimes called a silent problem or the silent killer, as it usually has no symptoms.

The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked by a healthcare professional. But we know some things can make you more at risk. These are called risk factors, and one of these is having diabetes.

High levels of sugar in your blood can lead to something called atherosclerosis. The narrower the blood vessels, the more the pressure builds up. The more stress your blood vessels are under, the harder it is to push blood around the important areas of your body.

This means your feet, eyes and heart are seriously at risk. If you make changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. A lot of lowering your blood pressure is down to making positive lifestyle changes. Your healthcare team can support you with making these changes.

Find out what healthcare checks and services you are entitled to. Your doctor or nurse uses a blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure. This restricts the blood flow for a few seconds. The cuff then deflates, the monitor takes a reading and your doctor or nurse will take the cuff off.

You should get this test at least once a year. If you want to, you can buy a blood pressure monitor yourself to use at home. You can get this from a chemist or pharmacy, or order one from our shop. In some areas, diabetes care teams have suggested people buy their own home blood pressure monitoring kit, during the coronavirus pandemic while access to routine care is disrupted.

You can find a list of blood pressure monitors to use at home from the British and Irish Hypertension Society website.

The reading on the monitor lets your healthcare team know whether your blood pressure is too high, too low or just right. Make a note of your reading at each appointment and get to know what the numbers mean.

The longer your blood pressure is high, the more at risk you are of getting serious complications. Making changes to your lifestyle may not be enough and many people with diabetes also need to take medication.