High Pressure and Diabetes: Learn About the Risks of This Silent Villain Duo

High pressure and diabetes are two health conditions that are increasingly worrying both doctors and health professionals around the world. Because they are both asymptomatic, many consider them silent villains for health, since when the individual has symptoms it is because the clinical picture is already more serious.

Studies show that millions of people in the world suffer from these two pathologies. And the health risk increases even more when the patient suffers from both high pressure and diabetes.

And the numbers have increased exponentially as it is largely due to the lifestyle that people have, with a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet being some of the main risk factors.

This dangerous combination primarily affects people over the age of 60, who are at higher risk of serious complications.

For this reason and more, it’s so important to address this topic to raise awareness among the population. In today’s article, we will explore the risks of this dangerous combination. Keep reading to learn more!

What is high blood pressure?

Elevated blood pressure occurs when levels are above 140 x 90 mmHg. To identify this issue, it’s necessary to take two or more readings, along with additional tests like an electrocardiogram, urine analysis, and cholesterol tests.

If the diagnosed individual does not follow the proper treatment, they may face serious health complications. Therefore, it is crucial to strictly follow medical recommendations and the prescribed treatment.

What is diabetes?

This disease is characterized by increased blood sugar levels, which is caused by the absence or alteration of insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin has the function of controlling the entry of glucose into the body’s cells, and then, when a failure occurs, an accumulation of glucose is generated.

The link between high pressure and diabetes

As mentioned above, there are some common risk factors between both .Also, one of them can directly contribute to the aggravation or appearance of the other.

Diabetes can cause hypertension to appear because insulin resistance makes it difficult for cells to access circulating glucose. As a result, blood sugar levels rise, causing the arteries to harden and increase blood pressure.

Diabetic patients are also more likely to suffer from kidney problems. Therefore, the malfunction of the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering the blood, can raise blood pressure. Also, diabetic patients suffer from faster oxidation of blood vessels due to high blood sugar levels. Due to this, the arteries can clog more easily.

However, unfortunately, the relationship between these two pathologies does not stop there. Hypertension can also be a risk factor for the patient to develop type 2 diabetes. This is largely due to the fact that the causes for both diseases to appear in the body are similar.

Therefore, it is always important to emphasize that awareness and prevention are important tools. When there are changes in habits, it is possible to reduce the risks of suffering from some of these diseases. Therefore, health professionals work hard so that the population is informed and aware of how to acquire healthy habits.

It is even important that the patient has an early diagnosis, since if these diseases are not treated properly, they can bring serious health complications, affecting organs such as the heart, kidneys and eyes.

High pressure and diabetes: learn about the risks (Google Source)

Risk factors

It is important to know the risk factors for both conditions. See the continuation:

• Excess weight;
• Consumption of beverages;
• Sedentary lifestyle;
• Excess salt intake;
• Bad eating habits.

Food for Hypertension and Diabetics

Food can be a great way to prevent and treat both pathologies. If the person has proper medical follow-up, makes use of prescribed medications and adopts new healthy habits, he or she can achieve a better quality of life and keep both diseases under control.

Therefore, there are foods that can contribute or even aggravate their clinical condition. Check out the continuation:

Foods that should be avoided

• Foods rich in sodium: ketchup, soy sauce, ham, mortadella;
• Foods with trans and saturated fats: margarine, biscuits, cakes, fatty meats;
• Canned vegetables: olives, hearts of palm, corn, peas;
• Processed and frozen foods.

Foods that should be consumed

• Omega 3: cold water fish, such as sardines and tuna;
• Legumes: lentil, beans, beak grain;
• Avocado, olive oil, oleagin fruit.

Healthy habits that help prevent and treat high blood pressure and diabetes

• Practice some physical activity regularly;
• Control sodium (salt) consumption;
• Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• Quit smoking;
• Decrease stress levels;
• Sleep well.