Hypertension and Diabetes: A Dangerous Duo

Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are a dangerous combination, putting your health in jeopardy in a number of ways. Type 2 diabetes is caused by resistance to insulin, the hormone your body needs to use blood sugar for energy. Because type 2 diabetics resist insulin, sugar builds up in the blood causing the body to retain salt and fluids, which is one way diabetes increases your risk for high blood pressure.

What can you do?

There are lifestyle choices you can make to prevent the onset of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, such as:

• Reduce your salt intake
• Engage in stress-relieving activities
• Exercise regularly
• Get to and stay at a healthy weight
• Avoid excessive alcohol intake
• Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
• Monitor your blood pressure

Ready for more?

Did you know high blood pressure can be checked at your annual physical? To learn how much it may cost you to visit your primary care doctor, click here.