Are you in control of your blood pressure?
Half of people who are suffering with diabetes are struggling to keep control of their blood pressure, which is seriously damaging to their health.
Diabetes UK said the most recent figures, taken from a national audit of more than two million people with the condition, show that just 50 per cent are meeting their blood pressure target – the same proportion as in the previous year.
Throughout the year, as the figures sugggest, there has been no action or preventation taken by the health department that could help to decrease this worrying figure.
High blood pressure increases the risk of conditions such as heart disease, kidney failure and stroke.
The charity said people needed more support to control their condition.
Chief executive Barbara Young said: “Given the link between blood pressure and diabetes-related complications such as stroke, kidney failure and heart disease, it is extremely worrying that half of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.
“People with diabetes need to be aware that high blood pressure can have a hugely damaging effect on their health. But, instead, we are in danger of high blood pressure becoming the norm in people with the condition and this is one of the reasons they are experiencing record rates of stroke and kidney failure and are dying years younger than the rest of the population.
“We need to get the message across that if you have diabetes then not only should you be aware of your blood pressure, but if it is high then reducing it should be one of your top priorities.
“But it is also important that healthcare professionals realise that measuring the blood pressure of people with diabetes is the start of the process rather than the end of it. Once people with high blood pressure are identified, healthcare professionals then need to work with that person to bring it down to an acceptable level., giving whatever support is needed throughout the year.”
Tagged in Heart Health Diabetes Chief blood pressure