Diabetes is an extremely common chronic disease: around 5.4% of the French population today receives antidiabetic treatment, and between 500,000 and 800,000 French people suffer from diabetes without knowing it.
But what is less known is that diabetes (which is generally type 2, in 92% of cases) is quite often associated with another chronic pathology: arterial hypertension (HTA).
Thus, according to a study conducted in France in 2019 on 7,627 people aged 35 and over, 21% of patients treated for high blood pressure are also treated for diabetes (type 1 or type 2), and 69% of patients treated for diabetes are also treated for high blood pressure (HTA).
Diabetes and hypertension: how to explain this link? As explained by Pr. Xavier Girerd, cardiologist at Pitié-Salpêtrière (in Paris), “high blood pressure and diabetes have one thing in common: visceral obesity“.
More than half of diabetics in France are also hypertensive
Clear : “adipocytes, that is to say: the cells responsible for storing fat, which are found around the viscera, have toxic properties which tend to increase insulin resistance; these adipocytes also have a toxicity for the functioning of the arteries” explains the doctor. Visceral obesity also tends to increase the risk of sarcopenia, which corresponds to a loss of muscle mass: this is the reason why hypertensives, diabetics and diabetic hypertensives must absolutely fight against a sedentary lifestyle and practice physical activity. regular physical.“
To find out if you have visceral obesityit is very simple : “take a tape measure and measure your waist circumference at the level of the navel: for men, it should not exceed 1 meter, and 90 centimeters for women“explains the doctor.
Are you hypertensive? Find out your risk of diabetes
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the National Diabetes Awareness Weekthe French Federation of Diabetics has chosen to emphasize the link between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases by encouraging people with hypertension to take the Findrisc test which determines in a few questions (and a few seconds), the risk of developing diabetes.
This quick questionnaire, which is aimed at people who are undergoing treatment for hypertension, is obviously interested in waist circumference, as seen above, but also in family history, the practice of daily physical activity and eating habits. to determine a possible risk of developing a second chronic disease. But beware: the result of this test is a simple estimate of the risk. It is in no way a diagnosis. For this, you will have to consult your doctor at the next prescription renewal for anti-hypertensives.
Finally a solution to waste!
All people with diabetes will tell you: the management of healthcare waste is a daily concern, almost every moment. When we know that until now the regulations did not offer a practical or ecological solution for sorting connected piercing medical devices, the equation became almost insoluble. This problem, between blood readings and taking insulin to name a few, adds a significant weight to an already very heavy mental load. From now on, a solution exists thanks to the new DASTRI collection circuit and its very recognizable purple box and available free of charge in pharmacy. Finally, DASRIe (Waste from Infectious Risk Healthcare Activities with electronics) can be collected simply, with the added bonus of the assurance that it will be recycled. An ecologically and personally sustainable solution that people with diabetes will appreciate.
Source : French Federation of Diabetics (FFD)
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