Diabetes and High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

You can think of your heart like an engine. Its main job is to move blood through the blood vessels (like arteries, veins, and capillaries) of your body. This is how your body gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay alive. 

As your heart pumps blood through your body, your blood adds pressure inside your blood vessels. Your blood pressure tells you the force of blood flow on your blood vessels when your heart beats and is at rest. 

Blood pressure levels can change throughout the day. Depending on what you’re doing, it can change quickly. Activities, what you’ve had to drink or eat, stress, sleep, and other factors all affect your blood pressure. 

How is blood pressure checked? 

High blood pressure is a silent problem—you won't know you have it unless your blood pressure is checked. Blood pressure is checked with an inflatable arm cuff that is placed on your upper arm. 

Be sure to have your blood pressure checked at each healthcare visit if you’re living with diabetes. Work with your healthcare team to decide if you should also check your blood pressure at home or at pharmacies, and how often it should be done. 

When a member of your healthcare team checks your blood pressure, they report it as two numbers, such as 120/80. You’ll hear them say this as “120 over 80.” Both numbers are important.

• The first number is the pressure as your heart beats and pushes blood through the blood vessels. It’s called the “systolic” pressure.
• The second number is the pressure when the vessels relax between heartbeats. It’s called the “diastolic” pressure.

When your blood moves through your vessels with too much force, you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure won’t go away without treating it. Your treatment plan may include changes to your eating plan, physical activity, and medication. Work with your healthcare team to create a treatment plan that meets your needs and helps you reach your blood pressure targets. 

Here are some steps you can take on your own:

• Eat Well - Following an eating plan based on the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), low-carb, or very low-carb eating patterns can help.
• Reduce Sodium - Choosing foods with less sodium can help with managing blood pressure. Reading a food label is a great way to understand how much sodium is in the food you buy.
• Manage Weight - If you live with overweight or obesity, managing your weight will help lower your blood pressure. 
• Get Physical Activity - Physical activity is an important part of managing diabetes, and it will also help you manage your blood pressure.
• Stop Smoking - Quit smoking or using tobacco, whether it be cigarettes, vaping, or dip. 
• Limit Alcohol - If you drink, limit the amount of alcohol you consume.