Are blood pressure and blood sugar related

Did you know that there is a relationship between low blood sugar and high blood pressure? Many people think that high blood pressure and low blood sugar are two different things. But, in reality, the two are pretty connected! Low blood sugar can lead to high blood pressure, which then, in turn, leads to low blood sugar. It’s a dangerous cycle that can have severe consequences if left untreated.

Your body needs energy to function, and it gets that energy from blood glucose. Your body derives this glucose from carbohydrates broken down from our meals. When you need more energy, your body sends insulin to take the glucose from your bloodstream to your cells, where it’s used as fuel. 

Sometimes, the body releases too much insulin, which can lead to too much sugar in the cells, causing low blood sugar. Another cause is not eating enough or skipping meals, which can cause too little sugar in the blood. 

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, is a condition in which your blood glucose levels fall below the normal range. If your blood sugar is too low, it can lead to high blood pressure. Your body experiences this because when your blood sugar is low, it releases a hormone called adrenaline to help raise it. 

Adrenaline is responsible for increasing your heart rate and constricting your arteries, which leads to even higher blood pressure. So, if you have both high blood pressure and low blood sugar, it’s essential to take steps to keep your levels stable. 

But low blood sugar can occur even if you’re working to prevent it and monitoring your diet closely. If you often experience low blood sugar, it’s best to stay prepared. Keep a fast-acting carbohydrate like a banana or some dried fruit on hand to raise your glucose levels whenever you experience it. 

Over time, low blood sugar dips may lead to permanent changes in your blood pressure. If you have diabetes, it can also increase your risk of developing hypertension, which causes your arterial walls to become pressurized. It also makes your heart work harder to continue to allow blood to flow seamlessly through your arteries. Over time, this is likely to damage your heart. It can be difficult to monitor if you’re experiencing high blood pressure because an elevated heart rate is one of the only obvious warning signs. 

Here’s how to understand your blood pressure readings, according to guidelines from the American Heart Association:

Warning Signs That You Might Have High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition in which the pressure of the blood that flows through your arteries is higher than usual. Over time, high blood pressure can damage organs like your heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of the adults in the United States have hypertension. 

Many people are not aware they have high blood pressure because it often has no symptoms. That’s why it’s essential to know how to detect high blood pressure so you can get treatment if needed. There are several ways to measure blood pressure, including at-home tests and blood pressure monitors. 

The symptoms of high blood pressure to watch out for include an elevated heart rate, trouble sleeping, sweating, and dizziness. Consult a healthcare professional without delay if you have difficulty breathing, fatigue, vision problems, nosebleeds, and blood in your urine. Here is more information on the hypertensive crisis and why it is so critical to get medical care immediately if you have some of these symptoms.

Other Side Effects of Low Blood Sugar

When you eat, your body breaks down your food, some of which becomes glucose or blood sugar. Your body will take most of this glucose and use it to fuel your cells, but it also sends some of the excess glucose to your liver, which stores it for later use. Meanwhile, your pancreas produces insulin to control the sugar levels in your blood so that they don’t rise too high. Insulin helps your body process sugars. 

If you haven’t eaten in a long time, your body will release hormones from your pancreas to tell your liver to release the glucose that it has stored back into your bloodstream. Your body will then use that glucose to regulate the energy your cells need until the next time you eat. 

When your blood glucose levels dip too low, your cells don’t have enough energy to use—this is hypoglycemia. Your body produces insulin to prevent your blood sugars from rising too quickly. Still, sometimes it makes too much, which can cause it all to dip dangerously instead. Knowing what to watch for and how to treat low blood sugar can help keep you healthy and safe. 

Short-Term Effects of Low Blood Sugar

Did you know that having low blood sugar (or hypoglycemia) can have short-term effects on your body? It’s vital to regulate blood sugar levels if you have diabetes and experience any of these symptoms so you can take steps to raise them immediately. 

Some of the short term effects of low blood sugar include:

• Fast Heart Rate
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Hunger Pangs
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Cheek or Mouth Numbness 
• Pale Skin

Long-Term Effects of Low Blood Sugar 

Experiencing a low blood sugar episode can be a frightening experience. Keeping your blood sugar levels stable is key to preventing health complications. But what are the long-term effects of low blood sugar?  

Some of the long term effects of low blood sugar include:

• Neurocognitive Dysfunction
• Diabetes
• Loss of Vision
• Impaired Sleep
• Weakened Immune System
• Increased Risk of Dementia
• Higher Risk of Heart Disease

Best Practices For Preventing Low Blood Sugar

You may not always know when your blood sugar levels are too low, which is why it’s essential to understand your body’s dietary needs. It will help you keep your blood glucose levels within a healthy range. Diabetes can be one of the causes of hypoglycemia. But some of the other culprits here include smoking, excessive drinking, certain medications, hormonal deficiencies, and insulin overproduction. 

Hypoglycemia usually occurs when you have gone a long time without eating, but that is not always the case. Another possible cause is long-duration exercise or high-intensity exercise, especially when done in the fasted state. This can lead to the depletion of liver and muscle glycogen, which can also cause hypoglycemia.

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels within the target range is critical for your health. But even if you don’t have diabetes, it’s crucial to understand how to prevent and treat low blood sugar. 

Here are some tips to help you out: 

• Eat regular meals at consistent times.
• Prepare food ahead of time when life might prevent you from missing a meal—yes, a little meal prepping goes a long way! 
• Use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to monitor your glucose trends in real-time.
• Keep heavy carbohydrate snacks on you when you leave your home so that you have a quick fix if you start experiencing symptoms.
• Work with your doctor and a registered dietitian to refine your diet to your unique needs.
• Limit your alcohol intake (alcohol can cause sudden dips in your blood sugar levels). 
• Staying active and regulating weight gain can help regulate blood glucose levels.
  

Engage with Your Blood Glucose Levels with Nutrisense

Your blood sugar levels can significantly impact how your body feels and functions. That’s why stable blood glucose levels can be an important factor in supporting overall wellbeing.

With Nutrisense, you’ll be able to track your blood glucose levels over time using a CGM, so you can make lifestyle choices that support healthy living.

When you join the program, our team of credentialed dietitians and nutritionists are available for additional support and guidance to help you reach your goals.

Ready to take the first step? Start with our quiz to see how Nutrisense can support your health.

Is blood sugar level related to blood pressure?

Are low blood pressure and low blood sugar related?

Is there a correlation between high blood sugar and high blood pressure?