How to Improve Hypertension Control in Diabetes
- 1). Exercise specifically aimed at reducing body fat and improving cardiovascular performance has a therapeutic effect on hypertension, helping your body use blood much more efficiently. Start a light cardio training routine with at least 20 minutes of light jogging, and do it three days per week. This will also help stabilize blood glucose levels throughout the day.
- 2). Combinations of prescription drugs are effective in reducing hypertension and help deal effectively with diabetes. Your doctor may prescribe some combination of alpha or beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics or ACE inhibitors for your particular condition.
- 3). Immediately quit smoking cigarettes. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, exacerbating the symptoms of hypertension. Heavy drinking can have the same effects, so limit your alcohol intake to a level that your health care professional deems appropriate for you.
- 4). Stress has been shown to have a significant effect on blood pressure, so keep your levels of stress to a minimum by engaging in meditation or stretching exercises.
- 5). According to the American Diabetes Association, a sodium-restricted diet reduces blood pressure in patients with hypertension and diabetes while also helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Limit the amount of salt you take in at each meal.
- 6). Mediterranean diets have long been associated with cardiovascular health, so take a page from these cookbooks and incorporate more healthy fats into your diet. Eat more nuts and wild freshwater fish, and make fresh fruits and vegetables a part of each meal.