Managing diabetes and high blood pressure
Five steps to take to prevent diabetes and high blood pressure
Managing diabetes or high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) can take a lot of time and effort. This is especially true if you have both conditions. Without preventive care, these conditions can lead to serious health risks.
Diabetes is diagnosed through a test that measures blood sugar. People with diabetes have blood sugar levels above 6.5 percent. Those with prediabetes have levels that fall between 5.7 and 6.4 percent. Having high blood sugar can harm various parts of your body, such as your heart, feet, and eyes—especially if it is not controlled.
Hypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force at which blood travels through your arteries. Having high blood pressure means the blood’s force against your artery walls is too high, and it can damage your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. This can lead to heart attack or stroke.
There are two numbers that make up a blood pressure reading—for example, 120 over 80. The first number is called the systolic number. This is the pressure at which the blood is pushed when your heart beats. The second is called the diastolic number. This is the blood pressure when your heart is between beats.
Diabetes and high blood pressure both require monitoring in provider offices and at home. Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference. Here are five steps to help control—or even prevent—these conditions.
Five steps to prevent diabetes and high blood pressure
1. Be active
Try walking, swimming, or bicycling. Once you find an exercise you enjoy, try to do it five to seven days each week.
2. Eat healthy foods
A diet that includes more fruits, vegetables, and dairy and less saturated fat can help curb symptoms. Cut back on sweets to keep your blood sugar under control. Reduce your salt intake to help lower your blood pressure.
3. Stay at a healthy weight
This can help lower your blood pressure, control your blood sugar, and make you feel good. You may find that healthy eating and exercise help you reach a healthy weight. For many people, the process is not simple. Remember that you can ask your health care provider for advice.
4. Cut out tobacco and alcohol
Try to limit the amount of alcohol you consume. Using tobacco can make diabetes or hypertension worse, and it leads to a lot of other health problems. If you think you might have a problem with limiting your alcohol or quitting tobacco or other drugs, tell your health care provider. You can come up with a plan together.
5. Stay motivated
Managing condition symptoms that affect the way you feel may require you to change to your lifestyle habits, and that can be time-consuming or overwhelming. Your provider, health coach, or care manager can help you get past barriers and meet your goals.
Resources for UPMC Health Plan members
UPMC Health Plan offers members a wide range of free resources and programs for managing diabetes and hypertension.
You can browse a library of educational materials, videos, and interactive tools. You can also reach out to our health coaches and care managers. They are here to help you design and manage a care plan that meets your needs. They can also connect you with resources and programs, such Mom’s Meals.
Connect to resources
Care managers: Get extra support in managing your health by calling 1-866-463-1462 (TTY: 711). Care managers are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Health coaches: Make lifestyle changes with the help of a health coach by calling 1-866-778-6073 (TTY: 711). Coaches are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Health Care Concierges: Call 1-844-220-4785 (TTY: 711) to learn more about your benefits and available services. You can talk with a Concierge Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Online educational resources:
UPMC Health Plan diabetes information
UPMC diabetes educational information
