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Does High Blood Sugar Cause High Blood Pressure


How Is Sugar Responsible For Raising Blood Pressure

Does Hypoglycemia Cause High Blood Pressure?

Recent reports emphasize that added amounts of sugar can raise blood pressure. Fructose in particular is to be blamed for this rise. In addition, it has also been found that fructose is highly responsible for raising cardiovascular risk among patients. However intake of a solution of glucose did not lead to the same findings. Ingestion of fructose changes the homeostasis of the body. The hypothalamus, a key region of the brain, is affected due to the changes in the homeostasis. The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland. When the hypothalamus is activated, it send signals the pituitary gland to produce various hormones that reach various other glands like thyroid, adrenal, etc. which then starts releasing more amounts of hormones that these glands are supposed to produce. Moreover, hypothalamus is also responsible for stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. When the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated various changes start happening in the body. They are as follows:

  • Metabolism is affected in the body.
  • Pupils dilate
  • Peristalsis is inhibited in the digestive tract
  • Renin secretion increases in the kidneys
  • Blood vessels dilate in the skeletal muscles and blood pressure increases.

What Is The Link Between Diabetes Heart Disease And Stroke

High blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. Over time, this damage can lead to heart disease.1

People with diabetes tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than people without diabetes. Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke as adults without diabetes.2,3

The good news is that the steps you take to manage your diabetes also help lower your chances of having heart disease or stroke.


How To Prevent Hyperglycaemia

There are simple ways to reduce your risk of severe or prolonged hyperglycaemia:

  • Be careful what you eat be particularly aware of how snacking and eating sugary foods or carbohydrates can affect your blood sugar level.
  • Stick to your treatment plan remember to take your insulin or other diabetes medications as recommended by your care team.
  • Be as active as possible getting regular exercise can help stop your blood sugar level rising, but you should check with your doctor first if you’re taking diabetes medication, as some medicines can lead to hypoglycaemia if you exercise too much
  • Take extra care when you’re ill your care team can provide you with some “sick day rules” that outline what you can do to keep your blood sugar level under control during an illness.
  • Monitor your blood sugar level your care team may suggest using a device to check your level at home, so you can spot an increase early and take steps to stop it.

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How To Identify Diabetes Or High Blood Pressure

Each of these two diseases is easy to identify using simple tests.

Diabetes

To identify diabetes, people use blood glucose tests and a1c testing.

High blood pressure

For high blood pressure, most of the times people are not aware that they have it, and they usually find out that they have high blood pressure after a random blood pressure reading provided by the doctor.


If you experience high blood pressure, it means that your heart pumping blood in higher pressure, so blood vessels are in too much force which over time tires heart muscle.

Very often, people with high blood pressure will not have any signs or symptoms.

Tip: Here are the symptoms of prediabetes and diabetes in women, men and children.

A device known as sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. It can be done by a health provider, doctor, or at home.

Blood pressure is recorded as systolic, maximum pressure during a heartbeat and diastolic, lowest pressure between heartbeats.


Medical guidelines show that normal blood pressure is less than 120/80mm Hg, and you have hypertension if blood pressure is higher than 130/80.

Tip: Here are all types and stages of hypertension.

Just one high-pressure reading does not mean that you have hypertension since high blood pressure is connected to your age, emotions, medication you are taking and heart conditions.

Diabetes

Early detection of diabetes can prevent limb amputation, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, heart disease or stroke.

Can High Blood Pressure Cause Diabetes And Vice Versa

Effects of Low Blood Sugar on the Body

Most common diseases and risk factors for a heart attack are definitely hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Their frequency increases with age.


Can high blood pressure cause type 2 diabetes? Lets find out.

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus overlap in the population, regardless of the country you are from. The relatively rapid increase in glucose values in blood plasma leads to diabetes mellitus development, which can support the development of hypertension in many people.

There is a strong link between blood pressure and diabetes, according to researches conducted over the years.

Diabetes causing hypertension

Many complications of diabetes, like kidney disease or diabetic eye diseases, are caused by high blood pressure. Commonly, most people with diabetes will develop high blood pressure, as well as other problems with circulation or heart.

Risk of type 2 diabetes increases the possibility of getting hypertension, and both of these conditions lead to various complications, stroke, heart attack and even death.


One of the studies conducted including over 4 million UK citizens, between 30 and 90 years, without any vascular diseases or diabetes, followed up for a period of seven years and when their medical records were screened changes in blood pressure and new cases of diabetes were identified.

There were 186,698 new cases identified during the study period.

Data also found every 20mmHg rise of systolic blood pressure increases the risk of diabetes by 58%.

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Prevents Energy Slumps :

Consuming high amounts of any type of sugar appears to raise energy levels in proportion to the amount consumed. But it soon results in a sharp drop in energy levels.


Sugar gets broken down very quickly and causes a spike in blood sugar levels. During this time, the brain stops producing orexin, the neuropeptide responsible for feeling alert.

Excess dietary sugar affects the brain, nerves, digestive system and muscles. If the body is not receiving proper nutrition, it results in fatigue and tiredness.

Instead of going for a sweet beverage or a sugary dessert, opt for a protein-packed snack to keep you alert and full of energy.

Complications Of High Blood Pressure

The ultimate outcome of chronic high blood pressure, regardless of the cause, is the same. If left unchecked, high blood pressure damages blood vessels. Blood vessels develop scar tissue and harden in response to continuous hypertension-induced injury. Hypertension combined with concurrent metabolic conditions like high cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the formation of plaques in the artery. Damaged and blocked blood vessels may restrict blood flow to certain parts of the body, leading to tissue damage. In particular, high blood pressure significantly contributes to the development of heart disease and the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.

Luckily, many things can be done to reverse high blood pressure and prevent life-threatening complications. Your physician may decide to prescribe blood pressure medication to help control hypertension. In addition to medication, healthy diet guidelines and lifestyle changes can help you remove added sugars from your diet and lower blood pressure.


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Hypoglycemia And Low Blood Sugar

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia? While each child may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia differently, the most common include: shakiness dizziness sweating hunger headache irritability pale skin color sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no apparent reason clumsy or jerky movements difficulty paying attention or confusion What causes hypoglycemia? The vast majority of episodes of hypoglycemia in children and adolescents occur when a child with diabetes takes too much insulin, eats too little, or exercises strenuously or for a prolonged period of time. For young children who do not have diabetes, hypoglycemia may be caused by: Single episodes: Stomach flu, or another illness that may cause them to not eat enough fasting for a prolonged period of time prolonged strenuous exercise and lack of food Recurrent episodes: accelerated starvation, also known as ketotic hypoglycemia, a tendency for children without diabetes, or any other known cause of hypoglycemia, to experience repeated hypoglycemic episodes. medications your child may be taking a congenital error in metabolism or unusual disorder such as hypopituitarism or hyperinsulinism.Continue reading > >

Manage Your Diabetes Abcs

Healthy Eating & Living : Does High Blood Pressure Cause Diabetes?

Know your diabetes ABCs to help you manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Stop smoking if you have diabetes to lower your chances of developing heart disease.

A is for the A1C test. The A1C test shows your average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. This is different from the blood glucose checks you do every day. The higher your A1C number, the higher your blood glucose levels have been during the past 3 months. High levels of blood glucose can harm your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.

The A1C goal for many people with diabetes is below 7%. Some people may do better with a slightly higher A1C goal. Your A1C goals may also change as you get older and your lifestyle changes. Ask your health care team what your goal should be.


B is for blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the wall of your blood vessels. If your blood pressure gets too high, it makes your heart work too hard. High blood pressure can cause a heart attack or stroke and damage your kidneys and eyes.

The blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mm Hg. Ask what your goal should be.

S is for stop smoking. Quitting smoking is especially important for people with diabetes because both smoking and diabetes narrow blood vessels, so your heart has to work harder. E-cigarettes arent a safe option either.

If you quit smoking

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Relevance Of Abnormal Cardiac Repolarization And Lengthened Qt Interval To Cardiac Arrhythmias

In other situations, lengthening of the QT interval is a strong predictor of sudden death. The long QT syndrome is a congenital condition caused by mutations within the genes that code for proteins comprising the voltage-gated ion channels contributing to the cardiac action potential. Those affected have abnormal cardiac repolarization represented by prolonged QT on their electrocardiograms and an increased risk of sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias . QT lengthening caused by certain therapeutic agents including antihistamines or antibiotics in susceptible individuals can also cause sudden cardiac death. Because hypoglycemia is common and sudden death is rare, abnormal cardiac repolarization alone cannot explain why hypoglycemia might lead to sudden death. Other factors that might contribute include inherited mutations or polymorphisms of genes involved in cardiac electrical activity and acquired abnormalities of other potentially relevant pathological mechanisms such as autonomic neuropathy.

Aside From Salt And Sugar What Raises Blood Pressure

In addition to high-salt and high-sugar products, foods that raise blood pressure include those that are high in saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fat can contribute to weight gain and metabolic syndrome while raising your risk of hypertension too.

Not eating enough potassium contributes to high blood pressure. Adequate potassium intake promotes electrolyte balance in the blood and helps counteract the effects of sodium.

Leading a sedentary lifestyle can raise your risk of developing hypertension. Without sufficient activity and exercise, the heart does not grow stronger as a muscle. As a result, the heart must work much harder to pump blood throughout the body, which causes blood flow to exert more pressure on arterial walls.

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Cholesterol And Triglyceride Tests

Have a cholesterol and triglyceride test at least once a year. Aim for total cholesterol less than 4.0 mmol/L and triglycerides less than 2.0 mmol/L.

There are a number of causes of high cholesterol, including your family history and your diet. Too much saturated fat in your diet can increase the LDL cholesterol in your blood and result in the build-up of plaque in your blood vessels.

Foods high in saturated fats include full-fat dairy products, fatty meats, pastries, biscuits, cakes, coconut cream or coconut milk, palm oil and fatty take-away foods.

What About The Studies

What causes high blood pressure

You would be surprised just how many studies exist that shows no connection to salt and hypertension. So forget the studies. Study it in yourself. If you have hypertension, reduce your salt intake for two weeks and do nothing else . See if that brings down your blood pressure significantly. If not, eliminate all sugar intake in the form of refined sugar and refined carbs for two weeks. See what happens.

Please note there are some medical conditions that are can be exacerbated by increased salt intake such as kidney failure and congestive heart failure. Consult your doctor if you have a serious medical condition.


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Your Blood Pressure Results

Youll get your results straight away. The reading on the monitor lets your healthcare team know whether your blood pressure is too high, too low or just right. But its important you understand your results too. Make a note of your reading at each appointment and get to know what the numbers mean.

Your healthcare team will agree a target level thats safe for you. Its important you do everything you can to keep in your target range. The longer your blood pressure is high, the more at risk you are of getting serious complications. Weve got lots of information and advice to help you bring your to the target level you’ve agreed with your healthcare team.

Avoid Packaged Foods And Soft Drinks

A good rule of thumb for avoiding added sugar is to avoid all packaged or processed foods. Packaged foods are manufactured and filled with added sugar to improve the taste. Packaged foods to avoid include cookies, crackers, cakes, cereals, and many granola bars and snack food items.

Plus, by avoiding packaged foods in general, youll also be avoiding other harmful ingredients like trans fats, saturated fats, excess salt, and preservatives that contribute to inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver disease.


Soft drinks and other sweetened drinks are a major contributing factor when it comes to sugar consumption. Its easy to down a can of soda in just a few minutes, which could contain 40 grams of sugar or more. Soft drinks arent the only problem, however. Fruit juice, sports drinks, sweet tea, and sweetened coffee drinks all contain massive amounts of sugar that contribute to metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure.

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Limit Your Alcohol Intake And Ditch The Cigarettes

If youre currently drinking more than one serving of alcohol per day or more than 7 drinks per week for women and 14 drinks per week for a man.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people living with diabetes follow the general guidelines for alcohol consumption:

  • Men: No more than 2 drinks per day on average
  • Women: No more than 1 drink per day on average

Ideally, if youre really motivated to improve your overall health, alcohol would be considered a small indulgence on the weekend versus something you consume on a daily basis. Keep in mind that alcohol is technically a poison to the body that your liver has to process to rid from your system. It will wear on every aspect of your health if consumed all too often, even 1 drink per day.

How Is High Blood Pressure Related To Diabetes

What Causes High Blood Pressure

First, diabetes and hypertension share many similar consequences. Diabetes types 1 and 2 are conditions in which blood sugar is too high. That excess sugar can be converted to body fat, resulting in a higher risk for obesity, and subsequently, a higher risk for high blood pressure. That excess sugar can also damage your blood vessels, causing multiple problems such as vision loss, kidney problems, erectile dysfunction, heart attacks, and stroke.

Similarly, hypertension can cause many problems by causing stress on your blood vessels, which can lead to problems like kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and more. If you have both diabetes and hypertension, its clear how your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke will be higher than if you had either alone.

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Tips On Cutting Down On Sugar

First of all, if youre finding it hard to eat less sugar-containing foods, dont give up. Studies show that whatever reductions you make will make a difference to your blood pressure and your health in general.

And dont give yourself a hard time either. Sugar has been found to be more addictive than cocaine in rats and probably in humans too so its okay if you need to come off it gradually.

To avoid sugar in processed food, you have to read the labels, and even then its not always easy to spot added sugar as it goes by many different names. One clue is that many of them end in ose , and anything calling itself syrup is sugar.

However, the simplest way is to eat less processed food altogether and make more of your meals from scratch with fresh ingredients as far as possible.

Think about what you drink too. One thing you should absolutely avoid is soft drinks and sodas they contain huge amounts of the worst added sugar of all and are exceptionally bad for your blood pressure and general health.

Dont bother with low-sugar / no-sugar substitutes either as many of these are really bad for you . Instead, if you really need some sweetness, go for naturally sweet foods honey, maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, fruit and dried fruit. They contain other nutrients which balance the effects of the sugar so are less harmful.

One other thing exercise

Exercise is hugely beneficial for lowering blood pressure anyway so do yourself a favour and get moving more.

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