More than half of all persons with diabetes have a condition called hypertension, defined as blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg. Left untreated, these patients can develop heart disease, stroke, retinopathy (eye disease), kidney disease, nerve damage, and even death.
Here’s what you need to know to recognize and treat high blood pressure.
Did you know?
Many health care providers believe that controlling blood pressure is at least as important as controlling blood glucose levels, because of the serious risk of heart attacks and death.
The factors related to high blood pressure may differ for each type of diabetes:
- High blood pressure is more common in persons with type 2 diabetes who also have obesity.
- In persons with type 1 diabetes, high blood pressure tends to be more common in older patients and those with underlying kidney disease.
High blood pressure can be related to the development of diabetic complications such as eye damage, nerve damage, or kidney disease.
High blood pressure often goes undetected because many people don’t have symptoms.
When symptoms of high blood pressure do occur, they might include headaches, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Tips to prevent the progression to hypertension:
- Meeting with a nutritionist to develop a diet high in fruits and vegetables, low in salt, saturated fats, and alcohol
- Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week
- Weight loss
- Medications, if blood pressure doesn’t improve after 3 months of lifestyle changes
Patients with diabetes are at risk for hypertension. Left untreated, this condition can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Check your blood pressure at home if it has been high in the past and at every doctor’s visit.
For appointment or more information about the services provided by Cardiology Clinic, please contact:
- Nurse Station: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8241 or 8249
- Reception Desk: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8330
- Operator: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 0
- Address: No. 3, 17A Street, Binh Tri Dong B Ward, Binh Tan Dist. (Next to AEON Mall Binh Tan). Ho Chi Minh City.
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