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For Healthcare Professionals

This section contains information specifically for healthcare professionals that have an interest in Diabetes. To access this area you must be registered on this site and be logged in.

Services for Professionals

Under 18?

This section is for under 18's and contains a great interactive tool to help you and your family learn more about diabetes.

Managing Diabetes

- The interactive web tool for children and families. It may be helpful to look at this section with your parents at first.

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Managing Diabetes Complications

father and daughter at computer

As you may already know, controlling your blood glucose is important for avoiding hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia—blood glucose lows and highs.

By keeping your blood glucose level in your target range, you may delay or prevent long-term complications. High blood glucose levels can damage many parts of your body, including your eyes, heart and toes. The good news is that you, along with your healthcare professional, may be able to lessen the impact of diabetes complications on your life.

This section list some of the more common diabetes-related complications, their symptoms and treatments, and some steps your healthcare professional may recommend to help reduce your risk.

High Blood Pressure

Nurse with patient

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood flow inside blood vessels is too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, which can contribute to serious health problems.

People with diabetes and high blood pressure have nearly twice the risk of heart disease as people who have only high blood pressure. Studies also show an increased risk of kidney damage, diabetic eye disease and stroke when hypertension is a factor.1

Causes of High Blood Pressure

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 73% of adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure or use prescription medications to treat high blood pressure.2 The causes of hypertension are unknown, but several factors may play a role in its development:

  • Heredity
  • Race
  • Age
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Heavy alcohol consumption
  • Salt sensitivity
  • Being overweight
  • Stress

Identifying High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure has no signs or symptoms. The only way to identify it is by having your blood pressure checked at every visit to your doctor. This is a quick and easy procedure and is something you have probably done many times before.

If you have a high blood pressure reading, your healthcare professional may recommend a series of additional blood pressure tests.

Reducing and Treating High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure cannot be cured, but it can usually be controlled. Here are some positive steps you can take to reduce blood pressure:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Staying physically active
  • Eating a healthy diet that includes daily servings of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods
  • Choosing foods lower in salt and fat
  • Choosing lean meats
  • Drinking alcohol in moderation
  • Quitting smoking

Your healthcare professional may also prescribe medication to control high blood pressure. The type and amount of medication will depend on your specific situation.

1 American Diabetes Association, American College of Cardiology. Hypertension in diabetes. Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Review. 2002;2:1-4. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/ADACardioReview_2.pdf. Accessed October 16, 2008.
2 American Diabetes Association. Complications of diabetes in the United States. Available at: http://diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/complications.jsp. Accessed October 16, 2008.

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Hungry to learn more about food and nutrition that’s just right for you? We have loads of great recipes, meal planning options to suit your needs and your everyday eating plan. Ask our “Expert”!

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This website contains information on products which are targeted to a wide range of audiences and could contain product details or information otherwise not accessible or valid in your country. Please be aware that we do not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any valid legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin. For people with diabetes. Use only as directed. See your healthcare professional for medical advice.