Hypertension

Diabetes is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke in the United States if blood sugar goes unmanaged. Knowing the facts can help support your health.

Hypertension: People with diabetes are two times as likely to develop hypertension. Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the artery walls. Overtime, high blood sugar (glucose) levels contribute to inflammation in the body, damaging the blood vessels and causing stiffness resulting in elevated pressure within the vessels.

The heart is impacted and has to work harder to pump blood. The damage and stress may eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.  It’s important to speak with your doctor or cardiologist regarding your specific blood pressure target levels.

To learn more about prevention and management go to https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure