Diabetes is very closely associated with high
blood pressure – a condition also known as hypertension. It is
estimated that about 75% of adults that have diabetes also have high
blood pressure and that a person with diabetes is about twice as likely
to get high blood pressure than someone without diabetes.

High blood pressure occurs when arteries get filled with residue,
such as cholesterol. Cholesterol decrease the passageway through which
blood can flow. As the passage gets smaller, the heart has to pump
harder to push blood through the arteries, which increases blood
pressure.

It may help to think of high blood pressure by thinking of your
arteries as a garden hose. If the garden hose becomes filled with dirt,
it is more difficult for water to flow through the hose. The pressure
within the hose, therefore, increased, even if the flow of water is not
as strong.

As such, high blood pressure often leads to poor circulation and
swelling. Additionally, when a person has high blood pressure, he or
she is four times as likely to develop heart disease and has an
increased chance of getting a stroke.

The most common way to get a blood pressure reading is through the
use of a cuff – or a canvas band that fits around an arm or a leg. The
device measures systolic (si-stol-ik) and diastolic (dahy-uh-stol-ik)
pressure by pumping air into the cuff until the cuff is snug around the
arm or leg.

Systolic pressure is the pressure inside of the artery that builds
every time the heart contracts to push blood through the arteries. The
diastolic pressure is measured when the heart is resting (after each
beat) and filling with blood. When your blood pressure is read, the
systolic number is always on the top (the larger number) and the
diastolic number is always on the bottom (the smaller number).

How Do I Know if I Have Hypertension?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), high blood pressure is:

Hypertension is characterized by headaches, dizziness and blurred
vision. Because these symptoms are also associated with other
conditions, they can be hard to identify as symptoms of high blood
pressure. Therefore, it is important to get a regular blood pressure
check from your doctor.

Hypertension is a common condition amongst Diabetics. However, there
are some lifestyle changes that you can make in order to reduce your
chances of getting high blood pressure:

If you think that you have hypertension, consult your physician
immediately. Addressing hypertension early is the best way to avoid the
health risks that are often associated with the condition.

Reduce High Blood Pressure With Diet & Exercise