How does Diabetic Nephropathy Cause Hypertension

Hypertension is considered cause as well as an effect of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes is responsible for causing intraglomerular hypertension, hyperfiltration and hemodynamically mediated damage. Moreover, renal responsiveness can also be abnormal in the diabetic kidney. Therefore, abnormal intraglomerular pressures are chosen for treating hypertension in diabetic condition.

Descending progression of the renal damage can also lead to hypertension. In order to avoid the circumstance controlling blood pressure becomes increasingly significant. Hypertension in diabetes is also related to syndrome X or metabolic syndrome, wherein there is a coexistence of glucose intolerance, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.

Hypertension in Type 1 Diabetes & Type 2 Diabetes

Individuals with type 1 diabetes, hypertension occurs due to diabetic nephropathy. Thereafter, hypertension shapes into microalbuminuria. On the other hand, individuals with type 2 diabetes have hypertension at the time of diagnosis. There are some chances that type 2 diabetes mellitus patients can also get hypertension through diabetic nephropathy, or other secondary causes like renal vascular disease.

Systolic and Diastolic Hypertension

Systolic blood pressure reflects the pressure exerted by blood on vessels while heart is pumping. On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure is a measure of pressure in vessels between heartbeats. If count of these is high, you have hypertension. Systolic as well as diastolic hypertension elevates the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Isolated systolic hypertension is characterised by loss of elastic compliance of atherosclerotic large vessels. Hypertension in diabetic condition is associated with an expanded plasma volume, low renin activity and increased peripheral vascular resistance. Responsive antihypertensive management proves effective to decrease the rate of GFR.

Recommended Lifestyle Changes

Treating hypertension involves making few lifestyle changes, which include maintaining adequate weight, regular exercising, reducing salt intake and alcohol consumption. Some of the health care professionals also advise treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs after precise observation of individual’s condition.

Benefits of Antihypertensive Intervention

Antihypertensive intervention can significantly boost the life expectancy of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Among other benefits antihypertensive intervention are reduction in need for dialysis and maintaining blood pressure.

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