Diabetics can reduce heart risk by lowering blood pressure

A recent paper Blood Pressure Lowering in Type 2 Diabetes, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, has concluded that type 2 diabetics, who lower their blood pressure by just 10 mm/Hg, can significantly lower their risk of stroke by 27 percent, risk of heart attack by 11 percent, and risk of heart disease by 12 percent. Those are numbers not to be ignored!

Co-occurence of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetics

Several studies have shown that elevated blood pressure is more common among people with type 2 diabetes than in the general population. In fact, most people with diabetes develop high blood pressure during their lifetime because diabetes damages arteries. High blood pressure in turn, can lead to or make worse complications from diabetes, such as diabetic eye disease and kidney disease.

Diabetes and blood pressure

By actively working to control blood pressure through tracking (iOS, Android), diet, exercise and medication, you can greatly reduce your chances of everything from sexual dysfunction to premature aging to stroke.

How to start to reduce high blood pressure

  1. Start by checking out 7 questions everyone with high blood pressure eventually asks.
  2. Find a home blood pressure monitor that is right for you so you can know more and worry less.
  3. Start tracking your blood pressure (iOS, Android) so you know how you are doing every day and over time. We recommend Hello Heart (iOS, Android) because it gives you immediate feedback, tips and lets you know how you are doing over time.
  4. Try some simple lifestyle changes to increase activity. Start with baby steps rather than drastic changes. Stand up during TV commercials. Park your car a little farther away from the door at work. Etc. Simply squeezing a rubber ball can help—a lot. Check out some other easy and fun ways to reduce blood pressure.
  5. Try incorporating heart healthy foods into your diet.
  6. Reduce stress in your life, but choose a tension reliever that's convenient and can be scheduled in advance
  7. Check with your doctor.
BP Trends over time

How much of an impact can you make?

Our data is showing very strong results, with a significant number of Hello Heart users effectively lowering blood pressure by 10 points or more. Check out the story of retired vet Jeff, for an example. His 10 pt drop translates to as much as a 50 percent increase in the chance of avoiding a stroke or heart attack.So if you have type 2 diabetes, now is the time to not only track your glucose levels, but your blood pressure. Keep yourself happy and in control of your heart health.

Use Hello Heart on iPhone and Apple Watch to understand and manage your blood pressure
Hello Heart is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. You should always consult with your doctor about your individual care.

1. Gazit T, Gutman M, Beatty AL. Assessment of Hypertension Control Among Adults Participating in a Mobile Technology Blood Pressure Self-management Program. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2127008, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.27008. Accessed October 19, 2022. (Some study authors are employed by Hello Heart. Because of the observational nature of the study, causal conclusions cannot be made. See additional important study limitations in the publication. This study showed that 108 participants with baseline blood pressure over 140/90 who had been enrolled in the program for 3 years and had application activity during weeks 148-163 were able to reduce their blood pressure by 21 mmHg using the Hello Heart program.) (2) Livongo Health, Inc. Form S-1 Registration Statement. https:/www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639225/000119312519185159/d731249ds1.htm. Published June 28, 2019. Accessed October 19, 2022. (In a pilot study that lasted six weeks, individuals starting with a blood pressure of greater than 140/90 mmHg, on average, had a 10 mmHG reduction.) NOTE: This comparison is not based on a head-to-head study, and the difference in results may be due in part to different study protocols.
2. Validation Institute. 2021 Validation Report (Valid Through October 2022). https://validationinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hello_Heart-Savings-2021- Final.pdf. Published October 2021. Accessed October 19, 2022. (This analysis was commissioned by Hello Heart, which provided a summary report of self-fundedemployer client medical claims data for 203 Hello Heart users and 200 non-users from 2017-2020. Findings have not been subjected to peer review.)