Diabetic Patients at Risk: Hypertension & Atherosclerosis - Essay Sample

Introduction

Diabetes is one of the major reasons why arteries get damaged or tend to harden. This condition is known as atherosclerosis and can cause high blood pressure. If this condition is not treated, it can cause the blood vessels to get damaged, cause heart attack, or, worse, kidney failure (Horr & Nissen, 2016). The reality is that hypertension can cause complications to the patient who has diabetic. Some of the complications to diabetic patients include diabetic eyes and kidney disease (Wright, Musini, & Gill, 2018). According to medical research, most people with diabetics will eventually have hypertension. People who have high blood pressure have a high risk of suffering from type II diabetic. Hypertension and diabetes type II are considered as aspects of metabolic syndrome, which is one of the conditions that is highly linked to obesity and heart-related diseases (Horr & Nissen, 2016). Both high blood pressure and diabetes type II have similar risk factors and symptoms, and when two combine, they share cause the patient to worsen.

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Discussion

Diabetes is a condition in which the blood has a high sugar level, and it happens as a result of the body producing insufficient insulin (Zaccardi, Webb, Yates, & Davies, 2016). Patients with diabetes have blurred vision, increased urination, and get thirsty a lot. On the other hand, hypertension is a condition that causes the patient to have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some patients can suffer from hypertension and diabetes, but both illnesses can be managed for a sustainable lifestyle (Wright, Musini, & Gill, 2018). There is a connection between high blood pressure and diabetes type II, and research has clearly shown that more people suffer from diabetes type II also suffers from hypertension.

Hypertension has always been identified as a silent killer, and it is because many people are not aware of the fact that they have it (Horr & Nissen, 2016). Most people find out that they have hypertension when a doctor takes a blood pressure reading or they do so at home. According to American Heart Association, most of the people who have high blood issues do not show any symptoms, and that is why they have no idea about this condition (Wright, Musini, & Gill, 2018). Hypertension has stage I, II, and stage III, which reads as systolic 130-139 and diastolic 80-89 (hypertension stage I) or systolic 140 and diastolic 90 (hypertension stage II) and hypertension systolic higher than 180 or diastolic above 120 (Wright, Musini, & Gill, 2018). In the case of a hypertensive crisis, the patients must see a medical professional immediately. Any patient who has symptoms of hypertension stage 1 is likely to experience a hypertensive crisis in the future. Such a patient should be ready to make lifestyle changes to minimize the chances of major complications. Healthy lifestyle habits include exercise, a complete diet, and proper medication.

Understanding patient and their preference attributes with diabetes type 2 can be very helpful in knowing his or her perception and behaviors. The preference for treatment for a patient with diabetes type 2 is crucial because the symptoms tend to vary (Zaccardi, Webb, Yates, and Davies, 2016). People with diabetes type 2 can live for many years without realizing that they are suffering from this disease. A patient needs to go for a regular check-up to start the treatment process early. For a patient who is aware of their diagnosis, they have a better chance of seeking medical advice and are proactive. Those who are already aware of their condition have an added advantage because they can make positive diet choices, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy lifestyle (Horr & Nissen, 2016). A study done by the medical profession revealed that people who are aware of their condition could be able to take care of their health and manage diabetes properly (Yun et al., 2012). Patients need to take care of their health and manage their condition to reduce any complications or long term consequences.

The issue of obesity is increasingly becoming a significant issue of concern because the World Health Organization estimates that there are more than 600 million cases worldwide. Obesity is highly associated with increased chances of suffering from hypertension and diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Obese people who are suffering from hypertension tend to have high symptoms, lower quality of life, and slow response to medications. Medical research has shown that people suffering from diabetes type II also tend to suffer from high blood pressure.

Is There a Link Between Diabetes and High Blood Pressure?

A most important question that we need to understand and seek an answer is whether there is a connection between diabetes and hypertension (Wright, Musini, & Gill, 2018). It is essential to look into the connection between the two. The truth is that people who have diabetes tend to have high rates of having high blood pressure. Unfortunately, most of these patients tend to have a tough time maintaining their blood sugar and keeping their blood pressure under control. A recent study has shown that patients who have diabetes type 2 but poorly manage this condition or fail to eat a healthy diet are the ones that are most affected by hypertension (Zaccardi et al., 2016).

Hypertension Prevalence

People who have hypertension and diabetes may experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, body weakness, tiredness, and blurred vision (Wright, Musini, & Gill, 2018). In addition to this, the patients may start to have infections of the urinary tract, respiratory system, and thrush. Patients with type II diabetes tend to have kidney problems, and those aged 45 and above mostly have obesity issues. That's why all patients with these symptoms should go for regular medical check-ups. This is the best precaution because early diagnosis will allow the patient to slow the progress of the illness and reduce complications.

Clinicians need to help patients with hypertension to modify the management plan. There is a need for future research in this area, which will help to address the effects of hypertension and help in the management of patients with diabetes type 2 (Yun et al., 2012). Research has shown that over 90 percent of patients with diabetes have type 2 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Sadly, most people with diabetes type 2 do not realize because the symptoms are slow and take time to develop fully. According to a study that was done in Europe, approximately 12 percent of children and adults with diabetes type 2 also suffer from hypertension. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans, especially children who have diabetes type 2, also have high blood pressure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). It has also been determined that people who have diabetes have a high risk of suffering from heart diseases and hypertension. Diabetes type II requires proper management, and that is why all patients should seek medical advice.

Conclusion

Diabetes type II affects many people, but it interestingly, many patients suffering from this illness do not realize because the symptoms are slow and take long to manifest. There is a need for patients with diabetes to seek medical advice to manage the symptoms appropriately. Patients with hypertension have to take the right precautions because this is a severe illness that is associated with other diseases. Sadly, hypertension affects millions of people across the globe today. In addition to this, current statistics reveal that cases of diabetes and obesity have doubled in the last 20 years (Horr & Nissen, 2016). The issue of obesity is increasingly becoming a significant issue of concern because the World Health Organization estimates that there are more than 600 million cases worldwide. Hypertension is a life-threatening illness, and it is essential to manage the condition properly to modify the management of diabetes type II. For a patient with type II diabetes, it is essential to use insulin to help in managing this complication. There is a need for more research in this field to help patients who suffer from both illnesses because of the complications (Horr & Nissen, 2016). Patients with both illnesses need to exercise, eat healthily, and take medications as recommended by the doctor for a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Vital signs: asthma prevalence, disease characteristics, and self-management education-the United States, 2001-2009. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 60 (17):547-52. doi:10.1037/art0000015

Horr, S., & Nissen, S. (2016). Managing hypertension in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Best practice & research Clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 30(3), 445-454.

Wright, J. M., Musini, V. M., & Gill, R. (2018). Firstline drugs for hypertension. Cochrane Database of systematic reviews, (4).

Yun, H, D., Knoebel, E., Fenta, Y., Gabriel S, E., Leibson C, L., Loftus, E, V., et al. (2012). Asthma and proinflammatory conditions: a population-based retrospective matched cohort study. Mayo Clinic Proceedings Mayo Clinic. 87(10):953-60. doi:10.1037/mhg0000008

Zaccardi, F., Webb, D. R., Yates, T., & Davies, M. J. (2016). Pathophysiology of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 90-year perspective. Postgraduate medical journal, 92(1084), 63-69. doi:40.3057/rmh2000208