Blood Pressure 120/80 ? Can you release the pressure?

Type 2
1

Some serious Endocrinologists are now saying that having:

A. fairly tight glycaemic control (HbA1c 7-8 or less)

PLUS

B. Blood pressure of control of 120/80 or less is the only way to go.

Glycaemic control obviously minimises microvascular complications such as eye problems and nerve problems. But to stave off alot of the other problems they think good blood pressure control is vital.
Do you pay attention to your blood pressure? Do you try and control your blood pressure (reduced salt intake and stress management etc?)

2

You bet, Thats just as important to me as is the diabetes! My doctor wants me below 130 and I am meeting that goal around 123/80.

3

I try to reduce stress but I think I need another job for that lol my BP is still highish but my HbA1c is good

I do monitor my BP I feel they are both important

4

Yes, yes I do. I have a blood pressure monitor, at home, and I check twice a day. I do try to relax more, and reduce my salt intake some, as well as get regular exercise and consume more potassium.

5

My BP was 140/90 the last time I was at the endo, so I’ve been watching it at home. I have been anywhere from 137/87 to 110/72 in the last month or so. I’ve been logging and we are going to decide at my next appointment what is going on and what to do. I’ve cut back on my caffeine and I’ve been a bit better than I was about salt intake. My A1cs are below 6, so that is not an issue for me.

6

Yes, very much so:) I consider BP control paramount in decreasing risk of renal failure. Always have and that is why started on ACE very early on. I have a family history of essential HTN and started inching up in my 20’s although no signs of kidney damage. Added HCTZ to ACE and then beta blocker. We tried repeatedly, calcium channel blockers…nonDHP type…and always caused rapid heart rate, nausea, etc…so, stuck w/ beta blocker. All are low dose (lower risk of side effects) and seem to be very effective for me = BP <120/80 and HR of <90. These are the recs for T1s to reduce risk of micro and macro complications. I have wondered if I am one of those T1 females w/ higher risk of arrhythmia…given my reaction to calcium channel blockers. When first tried, I was young and in very good physical shape:) so…makes one wonder. Again…all these things should be considered when trying tonic of BP meds to control risk…importance of a good doc! Personally, what I do to reduce my risks…I check BP daily at home and alert my MD if I see arrythmia (I use a digital Omron cuff w/ this function) or numbers fluctuation upwards and we re-assess the dose of meds.

Here is a link to a fairly good, dispite 2006 date, summary article on recs on BP control in diabetes. I do a periodic search (say, every 6 months or so) to see if any new info out there…and then discuss w/ my MD. Note that what is good for one patient…may not be for another…must be individualized…sounds familiar:)

7

BP control is important for everyone, regardless of what illness or defect they are living with. One thing I know for sure, losing weight is the best way to get it down, in most cases. Salt is something I am not convinced is a problem, unless one is really overdoing it. Seems like a scapegoat in many cases.

I agree with the stress part, but then, even when I know I am stressed, as in a job interview, or when I look at the future and see nothing but darkness, yet under those conditions, I take my BP and its quite good, so I am not sure what to make of that.

Some time ago, my doctor wanted me to take a anti depressant, and he warned me that for a week or so, I might have panic attacks, but they would pass. I got the pills, and didn’t take them. Who wants a panic attack? I never had one, but it doesn’t sound like fun. Still, I had other problems so I took them for a few days and my doctor was right. Now I know what a panic attack is, and after it was over, I flushed the pills down the toilet. As I lay on the bed thinking death was near, I managed to check my BP, and it was just fine, even tho I would have thought it to be 250/150 based on how I felt.

Another long post… BP control matters no matter what. The question to ask would be, how low can you go before you have other issues? If I meditate for fifteen minutes just before bedtime, I can read my BP in the range of 80’s/50s compared to a more usual 120/65. My diastolic seldom rises with stress and anxiety. The systolic does climb when I am active, or feeling pressure.

John

8

Seems to me that one is either into blood pressure control or not!

What is becoming clear is that one needs

GOOD Glucose control PLUS GOOD Blood pressure control

9

Vigorous exercise can drop the resting heart rate (over time) and so drop your resting blood pressure too (over time).
But check with your doc first about any high level activity