UNIT TWO LESSON 5: Blood Pressure

ObjectivesAt the end of the lesson, participants should be able to:

1. Describe the relationship between diabetes and high blood pressure

2. Explain blood pressure

3. Know their blood pressure numbers

4. Describe ways to control blood pressure

5. Describe feelings and experiences of living with diabetes

6. Identify ways to modify everyday recipes to fit into the diabetes meal plan

L-esson

What Should YouBe Aware Of?

• Two out of three adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure or hypertension

• High blood pressure has no symptoms, so it may be difficult to tell if your blood pressure is high

• If you have diabetes, you should have your blood pressure checked each time you visit yourdoctor or at least two to four times a year

Diabetes and Blood PressureA person with diabetes and high blood pressure also

called hypertension is: two to four times more likely to develop heart disease or

have a strokemore likely to have diabetes complications:

kidney diseaseeye problems and blindnessnerve problems

What Is Blood Pressure?Blood pressure is the force of blood inside the arteries

It is needed to move blood from the heart to other parts of the body

What Is High Blood Pressure?High blood pressure is a condition where the force at

which blood flows through the blood vessels is above normal

It is also known as hypertension

Understanding Termsand Numbers

The top number is called the systolic (sis-TOL-ik) pressure

• This measures the pressure inside the artery as the heart beats and pumps blood to the blood vessels

The bottom number is called the diastolic (di-a-STOL-ik) pressure

• This measures the pressure between beats when the heart is resting

There are two numbers in a blood pressure reading:

Both of these numbers are recorded as millimeters of mercury (mmHg)

What Is ConsideredHigh Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure reading of 130 over 80 (130/80) mmHg is considered high blood pressure

Keeping blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg lowers a person’s risk of developing diabetes complications

Ways to ControlBlood Pressure

1. Reduce the amount of sodium you eat

2. Follow a healthy meal plan

3. Maintain a healthy weight

4. Take part in physical activity

5. Limit alcohol

6. Stop smoking

7. Take all prescribed medications

High Sodium FoodsThe following foods are high in sodium. You should limit

these foods in your diet:• Salted snacks

• Canned, pre-breaded, pre-fried fish

• Cured or preserved meats (luncheon meats, sausage, hotdogs, corned beef)

• Canned foods

High Sodium FoodsCheeses and buttermilk

Seasoned salts

Convenience and processed foods

Condiments: ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce,and salad dressings

Reducing Sodium in the DietReduce the amount of salt in the diet

Eat less than 1,500 mg of sodium each dayLess than ¾ of a teaspoon of salt daily

Many Americans eat 2,900 to 4,300 mg (1¼ to 2 teaspoons salt) of sodium daily

Reducing Sodium in the DietUse herbs and spices to

flavor food instead of salt

Limit the amount of salt in cooking

Add little salt at the table

Cut back on condiments such as mustard, relish, ketchup, soy sauce and barbecue sauce

Ways to Cut Back on SodiumChoose fresh fruits and vegetables and foods

that are not processed

Read Food Labels for Sodium Content

Use the Percent (%) Daily Value information on the label to see the percent of the daily requirement you are getting

“Low-sodium” foods: contain less than 140 mg of sodium

in each serving

provide 5% or less of the Daily Value for sodium

“High-sodium” foods: contain 20% or more of the Daily

Value of sodium

Follow a Healthy Meal Plan

High blood pressure can be reduced by following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating planLowers LDL “bad” cholesterolReduces a person’s risk for heart disease

The DASH eating plan is high in:FruitVegetables Whole grainsFat-free or low-fat milk or milk products

These foods provide nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and protein that tend to lower blood pressure

Follow a Healthy Meal Plan

Follow a Healthy Meal PlanThe DASH plan is low in:

Sodium Saturated fatCholesterolTotal fatRed meatsAdded sugars and sweetsBeverages that contain sugar

Breakfast

1 slice whole-wheat toast

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1 medium apple

1 cup fat-free milk

DASH Sample Menu

DASH Sample Menu Lunch

Tossed salad

4 cups of tossed lettuce leaves

2 ounces grilled chicken breast

1 cup sliced fruit (pear, pineapple or berries)

¼ cup almonds or walnuts

2 tablespoons non-fat dressing

6 reduced-sodium wheat crackers

1 cup sugar-free iced tea

DASH Sample Menus Dinner

3 ounces grilled salmon

1/3 cup brown rice or whole-wheat pasta

½ cup steamed broccoli and carrots

½ cup tossed salad with reduced-fat dressing

1 whole wheat roll with 1 teaspoon margarine(no trans fat)

1 cup fat-free milk

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Blood pressure rises as body weight increases

Losing weight is an effective means of reducing blood pressure

Take Part in Physical Activity

Regular exercise can lower systolic blood pressure by 2-10 mmHg

Check with your doctor before you begin exercising

30 minutes of physical activity five or more days per week is recommended

Limit AlcoholDrinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure

and add calories without adding nutrients

Alcohol should always be taken in moderation

No more than 1 drink per day for women

No more than 2 drinks per day for men

1 drink is counted as:12 ounces of regular beer 5 ounces of wine1 ½ ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits

Stop Smoking Smoking injures the walls of the arteries and causes

them to harden

Smoking is bad for everyone but even more for a person with high blood pressure

Take All Prescribed Medications

Not everyone takes the same kind of blood pressure medicine

Many individuals take more than one type of medication

It is important that you take medication as prescribed by your doctor

E-mpowermentDiabetes Education Series: Blood Pressure

Diabetes Education SeriesHow would you describe your experiences and feelings

living with diabetes and high blood pressure.

What was most difficult for you?

What are ways that you could overcome some of these difficulties?

What can you learn from this person’s experience?

A-ctionDid you accomplish the goal you set last week?

Set a goal to help you control your blood pressure.

R-eal-Life Problem SolvingVirginia’s Story

Virginia’s Story

Questions aboutVirginia’s Story

What is Virginia’s problem?

Why is this a problem for Virginia?

What are things Virginia needs to do to solve this problem? (List as many suggestions as possible.)

What might be the best way to solve this problem at this point? Why?

Questions aboutVirginia’s Story

Please find the Real-Life Problem Solving handout for this lesson in your folder

These questions will help with your understanding of Virginia’s story

N-utritionMenu

Tuna Salad with Whole Grain BreadZucchini Spice Cake

Healthier Cream Cheese Frosting

See you next week!

Topic: Cholesterol

There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.

- Katharine Butler Hathaway

Date:

References:

Margaret E. Cook-Newell, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., CDE Irene Hong-McAtee, MD, MCR

Adrienne Glodt, B.S., Graduate Student Laura Hieronymus, MSEd, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE Cheryl Case, M.S., Harrison County Ann Hollon, M.A., Wolfe County 

Hazel Forsythe, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., CFCS Stephen D. Perry, M.S., R.D., L.D. Pam Sigler, M.S. Lynn Blankenship, M.S., Metcalfe County Theresa Scott, M.A., Floyd County Tamara Thomas, M.S., Franklin County

Rusty Manseau, B.A., Graphic Artist

Author: Ingrid Adams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor , Nutrition and Food Science, University of Kentucky

Other Contributors