High blood pressure

Information for the public

Keeping your blood pressure as normal as possible is an important part of treatment for people with type 1 diabetes, because this reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease. Your diabetes care team should:

explain how changes to your lifestyle can lower your blood pressure
offer you medicines to help lower it if needed
tell you about the benefits and risks of the medicines
check how well the medicines are working and ask you whether you are bothered by side effects.

Questions to ask about treatment for high blood pressure

Why is it important to keep my blood pressure as normal as possible?
What blood pressure levels should I aim for?
How often will my blood pressure be tested?
What can I do to lower my blood pressure? Will taking exercise help?
Why are you offering this medicine for blood pressure? How will it help?
What are the side effects of these medicines? What should I do if I get any side effects?