Maintaining a normal blood pressure is critical to avoid life-altering and life-destroying complications. High blood pressure damages vessel systems and organs throughout the body. Normal blood pressure—along with normal blood glucose levels—good nutrition, and physical activity can eliminate or reduce the risk of the life-altering and life-destroying diabetes complications. It is imperative to seek competent medical advice and not to make any changes to one’s diet, lifestyle, treatment plan(s) or start any treatment plan(s), including exercise, without first obtaining approval from a physician.

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and/or kidney disease, and having a stroke. High blood pressure is dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms until it is too late. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer." Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. Almost two out of every three adults with diabetes have high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. In some cases, high blood pressure can be prevented; in others, it can be controlled and managed.

Heart

High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. It also makes the walls of the arteries hard. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first- and third-leading causes of death for Americans. High blood pressure can cause other problems, such as heart failure and kidney disease. High blood pressure damages the kidneys' filtering system—the nephrons—resulting in nephropathy and ultimately kidney failure will occur if left untreated. High blood pressure can also cause blindness by damaging the small vessels in the eye (complication: retinopathy).

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack. The arteries bring oxygen-carrying blood to the heart muscle. If the heart cannot get enough oxygen, chest pain, also known as angina, can occur. If the flow of blood is blocked, a heart attack results.

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF is a serious condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs.

Kidneys

The primary function of the kidneys is to rid the body of wastes. Over time, high blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidneys. The kidneys filter less fluid, and waste builds up in the blood. The kidneys may fail altogether. When this happens, medical treatment (dialysis) or a kidney transplant becomes necessary.

Arteries

As people get older, arteries throughout the body "harden", especially those in the heart, brain, and kidneys. High blood pressure is associated with these "stiffer" arteries. This, in turn, causes the heart and kidneys to work harder.