The combination of hypertension and diabetes causes many metabolic changes within the body. Controlling blood glucose becomes even more important in the face of hypertension. Out-of-control blood sugar increases the stiffening and narrowing of the arteries, which serves only to push the blood pressure higher. Maintaining an optimal diet that controls glucose and high blood pressure can be tricky. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, only 25 percent of patients with hypertension have adequate control of their blood pressure.
DASH
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, diet has been shown in randomized, clinically controlled trials to effectively reduce blood pressure. The DASH diet is low in salt and high in potassium. The American Diabetes Association and the National Kidney Foundation recommend that blood pressure in diabetics be less than 120/80. The DASH diet can help diabetics who are hypertensive reach this blood pressure.
MayoClinic.com notes that the DASH diet recommends plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well whole grains, fish, poultry and nuts. Bagels, fat-free peanut butter, skim milk, pears, light yogurt, brown rice and fish are part of a daily menu on the DASH diet. The DASH diet recommends keeping salt intake to less than 1,500 mg a day. Hypertensives who followed the DASH diet and limited sodium to 1,500 mg achieved much better blood pressure control than those who did not.
Limiting Carbohydrates
MedlinePlus recommends that diabetics limit sweets, alcohol and fat. Diabetics must also be careful about the number of carbohydrates they consume daily. Carbohydrates are metabolized into glucose in the body. Normally, glucose production stimulates insulin, and the glucose is metabolized appropriately. Diabetics either cannot make insulin or are resistant to the insulin they make, causing blood glucose levels to become very high.
Fortunately, the DASH diet fits well with diabetes. While diabetics must count the number of carbohydrates carefully, the low-sodium and low-fat nature of the DASH diet also can help diabetics with glucose control. According to MayoClinic.com, foods that diabetics should avoid include those with high saturated fat content, trans fats, high cholesterol and high sodium.
Other Lifestyle Changes
A discussion about hypertension and blood glucose control would not be complete without addressing the need for exercise. Diabetics with hypertension should undertake a regular exercise routine. Exercise can help control blood sugar -- 30 minutes of brisk exercise five days a week can lower blood pressure by 5 to 10 points, according to MayoClinic.com. Other changes should include smoking cessation and stress management.
