| Re: Diabetes and blood pressure
Nermal,
132/82, especially in a doctor's office, is indeed not bad at ALL. In fact, pretty damn good.
However, given that your stepfather has diabetes (a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease), he unfortunately has to be extra vigilent about blood pressure which, if it climbs too high, presents an additional major risk factor.
The JNC V11 Report guidelines state that diabetics should aim for 130/80 or below. (..which is basically where you stepfather IS).
If your stepfather's BP in a clinical environment, was 132/82, my guess is that it's most probably MUCH lower at home.
It's definitely worth getting a home monitor though to keep an eye on it. And keep a record. Don't want the doctor to start pushing meds if it isn't necessary!
How well does your stepfather take care of himself in general, in terms of diet (low in saturated fats, high in fresh fruit and veg), weight control, REGULAR exercise, sodium intake (should be LOW), alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, smoking? All these factors are important considerations for anyone in what they call the "prehypertension" range [120-139/80-89], and more so if one is diabetic.
Is his blood sugar well controlled? Kidneys and heart sound?
If so, he sounds like he's doing okay...
zuzu xx
Last edited by zuzu8; 01-22-2005 at 02:57 PM.
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