DIABETES AND BLOOD PRESSURE
4/24/2009
Diabetic complications are easier to prevent than to treat. Furthermore, control of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure have been shown to delay onset of diabetic complications. With this in mind, the National Institute of Health has established guidelines for persons with diabetes.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is linked to stroke, contributes to heart disease and circulation disorders. Two national expert committees (American Diabetes Association and the Joint National Committeee on Prevention Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) recommend a blood pressure goal of less than 130/80 mmHg.
A recent goal for blood pressure for patients with diabetes is 120/80. In a recent study, the greatest reduction in heart attacks, strokes, and gangrene was found with a diastolic blood pressue of less than 80 mmmHg.
If your average blood pressure is high, you can lower it by limiting your intake of salt and salty foods. Thirty (30) minutes of daily exercise (if recommended by your physician) and limitation of alcohol intake are also helpful. Most diabetic patients with high blood pressure require medication therapy with as many as 3 to 5 blood pressure pills daily. Genesis recommends that you check your blood pressure at home on a daily basis, keep a reord, and bring it to your next appointment.
Blood pressure control is critical and the use of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to slow the progression of renal disease should drastically reduce the incidence of blindness, dialysis and amputations.
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