A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is often taken lightly. Many people with diabetes initially feel okay, don't need insulin or medication, and are told that serious complications are years down the road. If left uncontrolled, diabetes and hypertension are a dangerous combination.
Diabetes alone is a major risk factor for stroke.
That risk increases significantly when high blood pressure is added to the mix. And, people with diabetes are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as people without diabetes. About 60 to 65 percent of people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, with African Americans more likely than whites to develop both diseases. It needs to be recognized and treated early. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study showed that improving blood pressure control in people with type 2 diabetes significantly reduced their risk for diabetes-related death, as well as heart disease, stroke, and other complications of diabetes.