Diabetes And High Blood Pressure

“When hypertension and diabetes marry… you pay the price. It is with these words that the campaign of the French Federation of Diabetics highlights the links between diabetes and high blood pressure and how to prevent these two diseases, on the occasion of the national diabetes prevention week. In fact, hypertension is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes, which is frequently diagnosed late.

Hyperglycemia, or an excess of sugar in the blood, is a symptom of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and heart disease diabetes are the two most common forms, each with its own set of dysfunctions.

On the occasion of the 9th edition of the national diabetes prevention week, the French Federation of Diabetics (FFC) recalls once again the importance of encouraging preventive behavior in everyone and wishes to educate people at risk of diabetes with a simple and rapid test: the "Find risk".Hyperglycemia, or just an increase of sugar in the blood, is a symptom of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease diabetes seem to be the two most common types of diabetes, each with its own set of consequences.

While between 500,000 and 800,000 people in France are unaware that they have type 2 diabetes according to figures from the Health Insurance, the FFC says that preventing diabetes remains more relevant than ever in these times.

where health is so important. “Beyond the considerable number of people affected by all types of diabetes (nearly 4 million), it is the continuous increase in the prevalence rate (number of cases in relation to the total population) of diabetes that is of concern. . Between 2006 and 2009, the number of people treated for diabetes increased by 5.4% on average and by 2.3% between 2009 and 2013. ”, indicates the organization on the page dedicated to the event.

Type 2 diabetes: hypertension is also present in 80% of subjects

For the 2020 edition, the latter offers a focus on the relationship between diabetes and arterial hypertension (hypertension). What is the link between these two pathologies? The answer is simple: the best way to prevent high blood pressure just like diabetes is to change your lifestyle and follow certain hygiene and diet rules.

These measures form the necessary basis of treatment and make it possible to delay taking medication, and sometimes even to avoid it. In addition, and conversely, the marriage of these two diseases increases the risk of serious complications: heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputations, etc. that appropriate treatment could significantly reduce.

“According to the findings of the FLAHS 2019 survey, hypertensive is prevalent in 80 percent of people who are treated for diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is discovered in 20% of persons receiving hypertension treatment. The existence of these disorders is frequently explained by the presence of overweight or obesity, according to the FFC.

Furthermore, hypertension is the primary cause of death among diabetics, surpassing cancer. This is why the body also invites people with high blood pressure to take the “Find risk” test to assess their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a silent and painless disease, as many may not be aware that they are diabetic.

Risk factors: diet, sedentary lifestyle, heredity, age

Note that high blood pressure can also progress silently for years. If left untreated, it causes cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart failure or kidney failure, especially in people with diabetes.

According to the FFC, screening for hypertension is particularly recommended from the age of 30 if the person has a contributing factor: overweight, excessive consumption of foods containing hidden salt, family history. This also concerns people who have already had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetics. But also everyone, once a year from the age of 40.

As for type 2 diabetes, several causes are involved in its occurrence, in particular the presence of diabetics in the family circle, which should encourage regular screening. Food habits that are too rich or unbalanced also increase the risk: overweight and obesity are aggravating factors of the disease because they are responsible for insulin resistance, all the more so if all physical activity is absent.

Thus, the prevention of these two pathologies rests first and foremost on the adoption of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, namely regular physical activity and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in sweet, salty, and fatty products.