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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

High Blood Pressure Linked with Increased Type 2 Diabetes Risk

The link between high
blood pressure and cardiovascular disease has been known for quite some time,
as has the link between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, it
has largely remained unclear whether high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
are also linked.

Until now.

A new study published this month by the
Journal of the American College of Cardiology has found a link between the two
conditions. In the study, 4.1 million patients free of cardiovascular disease
and type 2 diabetes were monitored for 7 years. Over the course of the study, patients
who had elevated blood pressures had a 60%
greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with
non-elevated blood pressures.

Study authors did not comment on
whether this finding demonstrates a causal link between the two conditions, but
they do believe it provides another reason for patients and doctors to strive
for better blood pressure control. Patients, providers, and communities across
Colorado are doing just that by partnering with the United States Department of
Health and Human Service’s Million Hearts® Initiative. Through
a combination of provider education, patient education, and healthcare quality
improvement, Million Hearts® aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes
by 2017. To learn more about Million Hearts® and the resources it provides,
visit the Million Hearts® website.

Tighter
blood pressure control isn’t the only way to decrease the risk of developing
type 2 diabetes. Many studies have shown that lifestyle modification can also
significantly reduce one’s risk of developing the disease (a recent example can
be viewed here, from the October issue of The Lancet). In Colorado, the Diabetes Prevention Program aims to
provide patients with the education and support they need to live healthier
lifestyles and reduce their type 2 diabetes risk. To learn more about the
Colorado DPP, visit our website. For a list of
CDC-recognized DPP programs in Colorado, click here.