Recent research has clearly established a definitive link between developing Type II Diabetes and hypertension. The data showed that people with hypertension are 58% more likely to get Diabetes than people who don’t have high blood pressure.
However, even though this evidence is compelling, it does not prove that hypertension causes Diabetes but may be a contributing factor. As recommended, monitor your blood pressure regularly to prevent Diabetes.
Monitoring your blood pressure is especially important for those who have a genetic predisposition to the disease. A genetic predisposition is where genetic factors increase the risk of contracting a disease. If a close family member has Diabetes, then it increases the risk of contracting Diabetes.
What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension is high blood pressure above 140/90, and severe hypertension is above 180/90. This increase in blood pressure may have many different causes:
- Infection
- A symptom of an underlying illness, disease or health condition
- The side effect of medication
- High-stress levels
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices
The condition can result in or contribute to the development of a variety of mild to severe health conditions, including cardiovascular disease (heart and artery disease), stroke, aneurysm, and Diabetes. These health conditions are harsh and can be fatal.
High blood pressure is referred to many times as the silent killer as people are unaware that they have a problem until it manifests in a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Have your blood pressure checked regularly, and take steps to regulate your blood pressure.
How To Reduce Hypertension?
There are so many ways to treat high blood pressure. Lifestyle changes are the most effective in the long run. Also, drug therapy is, however, very effective at treating hypertension and lowering blood pressure quickly. In combination with lifestyle changes, drug therapy is the most effective route to regulating blood pressure in the long term.
Seven Lifestyle changes that can help reduce high blood pressure:
- Quit smoking
- Reduce or avoid alcohol consumption
- Exercise regularly
- Lose weight
- Eat a healthy, nutritious diet
- Reduce salt consumption
- Decrease stress and anxiety
Exercise in a moderate manner for a minimum of 150 minutes a week or exercise at a high-intensity level for 75 minutes a week. A basic movement like yoga has several benefits in reducing high blood pressure, including weight loss and improving blood circulation in the body.
A healthy, nutritious diet consists of eating regular, balanced meals that contain all the food groups. A heart-healthy diet or low GI diet is both beneficial for lowering high blood pressure and preventing Diabetes.
Many of the factors contributing to high blood pressure also contribute to the development of Type II Diabetes. Lifestyle changes to treat hypertension can, therefore, generally also be of benefit in preventing Diabetes.
What Is Type II Diabetes?
Type I Diabetes is gestational, which means that it is a health condition already present in the body and appears typically in childhood. It results from the immune system in the body attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and a resultant lack of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
Type II diabetes happens over time and generally appears later in life. It results from cells in the body becoming insulin resistant, which means that although the pancreas may produce insulin, the cells in the body are not using the hormone to break sugar into glucose. Glucose provides carbohydrate calories and energy for the body.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can be life threatening and requires medical treatment that usually involves introducing insulin into the blood to regulate blood sugar. However, as mentioned above, lifestyle changes, similar to those recommended to treat hypertension, are also useful in treating Type II Diabetes.
What Are The Risk Factors Associated With Hypertension And Diabetes For Office Workers?
Office workers, especially those working from home, are especially at risk for developing hypertension and Diabetes. Many factors are common to the life of a professional that contributes to this risk.
Addressing these factors and taking the following steps can help reduce the risk:
Exercise is of critical importance. Office workers lead primarily sedentary lifestyles sitting all day behind a keyboard with their fingers getting the only form of exercise. Getting up every hour and stretching for 5 minutes can improve blood circulation and help reduce high blood pressure. In addition, it is a fantastic way to get oxygen, energy, and nutrients to the brain to inspire creativity. It is also essential to schedule 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intensive training into a weekly work schedule.
Diet and nutrition is another area where you could use some help. Office workers are prone to eating plenty of snack foods throughout the day and drinking lots of coffee to keep them awake, and the brain stimulated. Laying off the coffee (and sugar used to sweeten the beverage) can help reduce high blood pressure and decrease the risk of contracting Type II Diabetes.
Stress and anxiety increase the risk of developing high blood pressure and hypertension. Workers are especially prone to high-stress levels. Meeting deadlines, generating new income, and a lack of relaxing free time are all factors that contribute to high-stress levels.
Socializing, enjoying hobbies or activities, or only going for a walk can all help reduce stress. Yoga, massage, and breathing exercises are also extremely beneficial. Seeing a therapist is also a good idea for anyone experiencing high pressure resulting in anxiety, panic attacks, lack of sleep, and hypertension.
According to scholars, it is difficult to detect the symptoms of hypertension, and the condition often goes untreated until it is far too late. Regularly checking blood pressure is therefore highly recommended. Also, changing bad habits and living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way towards preventing hypertension and the condition contributing to Type II Diabetes’s development.
This article was written by Sherry L. Harris