Can Hypoglycemia Cause Hypertension?
Published July 24, 2022
Hypoglycemia is a medical term for lower-than-normal blood sugar levels, whereas hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. While they may seem like contradictory conditions, they can impact each other directly.
Read on to learn more about the relationship between hypoglycemia and hypertension.
Relationship Between Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure
Blood sugar is the key source of energy for the body’s cells. When this sugar level drops, the body immediately releases adrenaline (catecholamine) to increase it. Similarly, high levels are controlled by the release of insulin.
Contrarily, when the blood pressure falls below normal, adrenaline takes charge and tightens the blood vessels, making the heart work extra hard to pump blood, which increases blood pressure. If the blood pressure is too high, then the body relies on the release of nitric oxide to help expand the blood vessels and reduce the arterial pressure.
Since regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure are dependent on hormones, changes in either of them may impact the other. The risks of hypertension can result from both high and low levels of blood sugar. If insulin levels are high, then nitric oxide production is lowered.
Without the ability to dilate the blood vessels, blood pressure increases. In the case of hypoglycemia, falling levels of blood sugar lead to hypertension (1).
Side Effects of Hypoglycemia
When hypoglycemia sets in, the body rapidly experiences mild to severe side effects, depending on how low the blood sugar levels have dropped. An individual may experience common and mild effects such as:
- Shivers
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Headaches
- Hunger pangs
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Paleness
- Restlessness
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
Some side effects can occur at night, including:
- Drowsiness
- Disturbed sleep
- Experiencing nightmares
- Heavy sweating
Moderate and more serious side effects can include:
- Blurred vision
- Inability to concentrate
- Indistinct speech
- Numbness
- Clumsy movements
Acute hypoglycemia can be life-threatening with the following side effects:
- Inability to eat or drink
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma or death on rare occassions
Hypoglycemia Treatments
Hypoglycemia occurs when there is a deficiency of blood sugar or glucose circulating in the blood, as against the normal levels of 70-20 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in people with diabetes and is a serious condition that needs to be treated by a medical practitioner. A doctor can assess, determine the underlying cause, and start treatment to prevent further hypoglycemic episodes.
Treatment options include (2):
- Temporary intake of glucose, fruit juice, or fast-digesting carbs
- Diet modification by increasing the intake of foods with complex carbs such as whole grains, pasta, legumes, and starchy vegetables.
- Adjusting diabetes medications or lowering insulin amounts
- Using intravenous dextrose or glucagon injections in extreme cases
Risks of Not Treating Hypoglycemia
The brain and the body immediately react when there are low levels of blood sugar and display symptoms such as shakiness, sweats, dizziness, increased heart rate, nausea, and more.
Ignoring these symptoms of hypoglycemia can be dangerous. Continued episodes of hypoglycemia can result in hypoglycemia unawareness, wherein the body fails to display symptoms of low blood sugar levels.
If the brain is starved of glucose, then problems arise with cognition, vision, and mortality in rare cases (3).
Living with a chronic condition such as diabetes or hypertension may be difficult. Recognizing symptoms, seeking prompt medical attention, and making lifestyle modifications under the supervision of a medical practitioner can lower the risk of hypoglycemia and other conditions manageable.
Other Causes of Hypertension
Understanding hypertension, its causes, and effects. being aware of the different stages of hypertension to know when to seek medical help, can all aid in better hypertension management.
It is not just blood sugar that is the sole cause of hypertension. Primary hypertension, a condition with no definable cause, contributes to chronic hypertension in many individuals. The reasons for secondary hypertension, occurring from underlying conditions or medication, include:
- Kidney diseases
- Thyroid issues
- Sleep apnea
- Obesity
- Narrowing of the main artery, aorta
- Tumors of the adrenal gland
- Pregnancy
- Prescription medications, such as pain relievers, birth control pills, antidepressants, cold medicines, and decongestants
- Herbal medicines containing ginseng, licorice, St. John’s wort, senna, and more (4)
- Illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines
A practitioner can best assess the reason for hypertension in individuals and prescribe necessary blood pressure medications to control hypertension and prevent increased health risks.
Conclusion
Diabetes and hypertension are prevalent chronic conditions that can affect individuals. Understanding the reasons for hypoglycemia, with or without diabetes, and how it impacts blood pressure can help prevent severities and aid in the management of these conditions for better health.
Medical Disclaimer
Dario Health offers health, fitness, and nutritional information and is designed for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon. The information provided might not be accurate, full, complete, or effective. Accordingly, it is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice. You are strongly advised to consult your physician or qualified health professional regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment. Individual symptoms, situations, and circumstances may vary.
Resources
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/415868
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3180523/
- https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23271526/
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