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BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETICS

Discussion in 'Diabetes Complications' started by cugila, Nov 15, 2010.

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  1. cugila

    cugila · Master

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    Many Diabetics suffer from High Blood Pressure - Hypertension. It is something that can be treated well but first of all you need to know that you actually have it.

    It is not something that you will always feel or notice, the signs and symptoms can often be missed or confused with something else. The only way to find out if you have it is by testing your BP.

    If you do have high BP a single test once in a while is not going to be much help so just having it tested at a Clinic every few months is not really a good way to know if it is under control.

    The best way is to buy yourself a good quality Arm Cuff tester and test at home at various times of the day/night. Then you will know how your BP is throughout a day. It will vary due to many things, so don't expect it to remain the same all the time.

    The charts that tell you what is a good BP to have are for people who have no other risk factors.

    If you are a Diabetic the present recommendation is that your BP should be lower than 130/80 if possible to avoid further complications. What is 'normal' for a non-Diabetic is NOT 'normal' for a Diabetic. You need to understand that first thing..........

    Here is a link to the UK Blood Pressure Association website where there is much information.

    http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressure ... odpressure
     
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    #1 cugila, Nov 15, 2010 at 12:52 PM
  2. Patch

    Patch Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. My BP has always been fine, but my cholesterol fluctuates between 4 and 8 regularly. I'll be interested to see how the 2 are linked (if at all).
     
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    #2 Patch, Nov 15, 2010 at 1:02 PM
  3. noblehead

    noblehead Type 1 · Guru
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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    Good post Ken and well worthy of a mention! :)

    Just one more thing, as Ken says buy a bp meter with the arm cuff included and not a wrist version cuff, the blood pressure association recommend using arm cuffs as the wrist ones are thought to be unreliable.

    Nigel
     
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    #3 noblehead, Nov 15, 2010 at 1:27 PM
  4. cugila

    cugila · Master

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    There is a connection and it is just down to the fact that if there is too much Cholesterol in your Arteries it can build up and narrow the Arteries which will increase the risks of a Heart attack or Stroke.

    Here is a link to the subject Fats and Cholesterol in the BPA link I posted. There is much in the link which will answer many of your questions. We do not want to duplicate what is going on in the Cholesterol thread, that would be taking it off topic....Have a read of this link.

    http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressure ... holesterol

    Blood pressure has many causes but principally if you have a lot of salt, lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight, drink in excess and maybe dont eat much fruit and Veg that can all be risky. Your lifestyle needs to be healthy at all times.

    Again from the BPA.......
     
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    #4 cugila, Nov 15, 2010 at 2:23 PM
  5. theblokefromstoke

    theblokefromstoke · Well-Known Member

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    Blood Pressure

    Mines a little high but the doctor says nothing to worry about - its generally 130 - 135 / 80 something.

    I would really like it to be down in the 120's. I do excercise, I do eat veg and I take 1/2 asprin per day. Has anybody any natural tips for lowering blood pressure? I've heard Broccoli is good?

    carl
     
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    #5 theblokefromstoke, Nov 15, 2010 at 9:25 PM
  6. hanadr

    hanadr · Expert

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    Re: Blood Pressure

    Keep well hydrated and lose weight
    hana
     
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    #6 hanadr, Nov 15, 2010 at 9:45 PM
  7. cugila

    cugila · Master

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    #7 cugila, Nov 15, 2010 at 10:37 PM
  8. dorcas61

    dorcas61 · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    For most of my life my BP was on the low side - I once had 80/60 and felt fine!

    I was diagnosed as Type 2 in April, and in May my BP was 140/98, but the nurse forgot to tell me or follow it up (!) - I had a check up in October and a different nurse was very concerned that I hadn't been told, especially as it was still high (140/90) - she made me an appointment with the Diabetic GP two weeks later, by which time my bP was 120/70 :)

    How?? Said the GP, who was expecting to put me on BP tablets - simples! I followed the nurse's advice and cut down on salt (no added salt and watched labels carefully) and Caffeine (Decaff coffee and tea, no more Diet Coke).

    We were all amazed, but no tablets, which is brilliant :) tho I have to admit, food without salt is very boring - any advice?
     
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    #8 dorcas61, Nov 17, 2010 at 9:37 PM
  9. theblokefromstoke

    theblokefromstoke · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    Thanks Dorcas / hanadr

    Something you have both said has struck home with me keep hydrated - cut down on caffine. I don't drink milk in my cofee but thinking about it, I must have 10+ cups a day. In fact, the kettle has just boiled right now.

    I'll make this one my last for a bit and swap for glasses of water!

    Thanks again.
     
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    #9 theblokefromstoke, Nov 17, 2010 at 9:43 PM
  10. noblehead

    noblehead Type 1 · Guru
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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    Yes dorcas61.................black pepper! :)

    I've never liked the taste of salt in my food and prefer to use ground black pepper as a food enhancer. Pleased to see your dropped the caffeine drinks too, I ditched the caffeine 4 months ago for other reasons but must admit I have seen a small reduction in my bp since.

    Nigel
     
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    #10 noblehead, Nov 17, 2010 at 9:59 PM
  11. Hobs

    Hobs Type 2 · Master

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    #11 Hobs, Nov 17, 2010 at 11:09 PM
  12. dorcas61

    dorcas61 · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    Thanks! This morning I had scrambled eggs with a blob of cream and a sprinkling of black pepper - very nice :)

    I've also made a chicken casserole with basil (and black pepper!) - more subtle than salt, but tasty :)
     
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    #12 dorcas61, Nov 20, 2010 at 8:08 PM
  13. noblehead

    noblehead Type 1 · Guru
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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    Pleased you found it tasty dorcas61! :D

    Nigel
     
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    #13 noblehead, Nov 20, 2010 at 9:08 PM
  14. ShyGirl

    ShyGirl · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    :(
     
    #14 ShyGirl, Nov 21, 2010 at 3:23 AM
  15. Sid Bonkers

    Sid Bonkers Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    Hi Shygirl, your bp of 171 at your eye exam could just be down to "white coat syndrome" you don't need to feel stressed for your bp to go up. My blood pressure is always high when tested at the doctors or in hospitals and I was always told I had white coat syndrome.

    Do you have a home testing kit, if you test yourself at different times of the day you will get a good picture of your usual bp.

    Re arm v's wrist cuff testers I have both and my wrist cuff works just fine, but you do have to remember to elevate your wrist to heart height, if the cuff is lower than your heart it will not give an accurate reading :D
     
    #15 Sid Bonkers, Nov 21, 2010 at 9:34 AM
  16. cugila

    cugila · Master

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    Whilst I agree with Sid about testing your blood pressure at home if you think you may be at risk of 'White Coat Syndrome' it is important that any meter you use is clinically validated by both the British Hypertension Society and the European Society of Hypertension.

    This from the UK BPA (Blood Pressure Association)........

    I was diagnosed with WCS some 14 yrs ago after being monitored for 24 hrs and since then have always taken my own BP readings with a clinically validated upper arm monitor. I do have a wrist one (not CV) for travelling purposes but I have found that it never gives the same reading as an upper arm one.......but it is better than nothing. My GP seems to think it is because I have always had an eye for the Nurses........nah ! :wink:

    My GP etc know that they can trust any readings I take as I use the same one that my GP has in his surgery. The readings are clinically correct as it is a CV meter. I use the Omron MX3 which cost about £60 but there are cheaper models including a few wrist monitors available.

    So whether you go for Upper Arm or Wrist type.....make sure it is clinically validated then you can trust the readings and your HCP's will be able to as well. :)

    A useful link to the BPA all about Monitors with a list of the makes which are clinically validated.

    http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressure ... ourmonitor

    Hope that helps.
     
    #16 cugila, Nov 21, 2010 at 10:17 AM
  17. noblehead

    noblehead Type 1 · Guru
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    #17 noblehead, Nov 22, 2010 at 12:42 PM
  18. ShyGirl

    ShyGirl · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    :(
     
    #18 ShyGirl, Dec 2, 2010 at 11:01 PM
  19. noblehead

    noblehead Type 1 · Guru
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    #19 noblehead, Dec 13, 2010 at 9:02 PM
  20. ShyGirl

    ShyGirl · Well-Known Member

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    Re: BLOOD PRESSURE FOR DIABETIC'S

    :(
     
    #20 ShyGirl, Dec 13, 2010 at 9:42 PM
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