Diabetes is a prevalent condition affecting 422 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Whether it causes high blood pressure is a complicated question. Before diving in, it’s important to understand the basics of both diabetes and high blood pressure.

What is high blood pressure?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is caused by increased pressure in the blood vessels. This means the blood is flowing through the body with too much force, which increases the amount of force the heart requires to pump blood throughout the body. This may lead to different complications.

To measure blood pressure, providers use a device with an inflatable cuff which wraps around the arm. The measurement consists of two measurements: the systolic pressure, or the higher number, and the diastolic pressure, or the lower number. If the blood pressure exceeds 130/80, the level is considered high blood pressure (also known as hypertension).This definition is consistent with the latest guidelines issued by the American Heart Association [1].

Feel free to find out more about the different stages of hypertension, what causes high blood pressure, or what hypertension is by reading additional articles on high blood pressure from HealthTap.

What is diabetes?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2], diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. Specifically, diabetes changes how the body uses sugar (glucose) from food.

Most glucose comes from carbohydrates, e.g. grains and fruits. When people eat carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into glucose. Some of that glucose can be utilized right away, while some needs to be stored away for later use.

This latter step is done by converting glucose into another form known as glycogen. The hormone insulin converts glucose into glycogen. In people with diabetes, their bodies don’t produce enough insulin, which leads to high glucose levels in the bloodstream.

If left untreated, persistently high levels of glucose can lead to several different complications. However, modern medicine has made it possible to keep diabetes under control with the help of lifestyle modifications and medications.

What are the different types of diabetes?

Diabetes has multiple types which differ in terms of their demographics and how they progress. Broadly, they can be classified into Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune (the body attacks its own cells) and often develops in childhood. Its risk factors are unknown and the only possible treatment is to take insulin every day. There is no known prevention for this type.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 90–95 percent of people with diabetes [2]. It results from the target cells slowly developing insulin resistance over the course of many years of high blood sugar levels, which decreases the effectiveness of insulin in the body. Fortunately, it can be prevented with healthy lifestyle changes.

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops in pregnant women who weren’t diabetic before the pregnancy. It usually goes away after the baby is born. However, it increases the risk of the baby and mother developing diabetes later on.

Is there a link between diabetes and high blood pressure?

Now that we’ve explained both conditions, it’s important to understand whether diabetes and high blood pressure are linked.

A recent study from 2021 shows that the coexistence of hypertension and diabetes in a large population of patients in the research was not coincidental [3], but the relationship is likely due to common risk factors (e.g. poor diet, weight gain) for both conditions. 

Research from “Current Atherosclerosis Reports” shows that diabetes and high blood pressure share common biological pathways [4], which interact and influence each other.

Another study shows that women who develop gestational diabetes are also more likely to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension [5].

What are the complications of combined diabetes and hypertension?

If a person has both diabetes and hypertension, it increases their risk of multiple complications [3]. Potential complications include increased risk for heart disease, stroke, nephropathy, and retinopathy.

Treatment for both conditions may become more complex, since patients may need to use multiple medications. Doctors need to ensure the treatment of one disease doesn’t adversely affect the other disease and they need to confirm there are no interactions between the medications. 

What blood pressure level should people with diabetes have?

Ideally, the blood pressure in diabetic patients should remain below the ideal range of 130/80. The patient’s blood pressure should be monitored regularly to ensure it’s normal, and if it increases, medical assistance should be sought urgently.

However, many diabetics are unable to keep their blood pressure in the normal range. One recent study showed that as recently as 2018 only around 48% of adults with diabetes were able to achieve a blood pressure of less than 130/80 mm Hg [6].

How to prevent high blood pressure with diabetes?

If a diabetic patient hasn’t been diagnosed with high blood pressure, they can prevent high blood pressure from developing with lifestyle changes.

These changes include making exercise a regular part of one’s daily routine and being physically active. It’s also a good idea to maintain a normal weight and follow a healthy diet. To find more home remedies to reduce high blood pressure, be sure to read the HealthTap article here. (We can link the home remedies hypertension article here when published)

How is high blood pressure with diabetes treated?

If both diabetes and high blood pressure are in their initial stages, it may be possible for some people to manage both conditions using only lifestyle changes. However, many people who are diagnosed with both conditions will need to take medications.

Depending on the situation and their risk of complications, one might need medications for a single condition or both of them.

A person must consult a trained physician to get high blood pressure and/or diabetes treated. One place where someone can get access to a reputable and vetted primary care doctor is HealthTap. Go to HealthTap and book an appointment to get medical care quickly from your home.