Health Home > High Blood Pressure > Treatment for blood pressure problems from diabetic neuropathy

Treatment for blood pressure problems from diabetic neuropathy

Healthwise
By Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS

Did you find this helpful?

Be the first to rate!
Not yet rated

Diabetic neuropathy can cause low or high blood pressure.

  • People who have extremely low blood pressure when they rise from a seated or reclining position (orthostatic hypotension) may benefit from wearing support stockings (also called compression stockings), which may keep blood from pooling in the legs. Increasing the salt in your diet and drinking plenty of fluids—as long as they don't contain sugar—can also help by preventing dehydration, which can make the drop in blood pressure worse when standing or sitting. Midodrine (ProAmatine) is a medicine commonly used to manage low blood pressure. Fludrocortisone, a corticosteroid medicine, may sometimes help relieve orthostatic hypotension.
  • High blood pressure in people with diabetic neuropathy may be treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as benazepril (Lotensin) and enalapril (Vasotec). ACE inhibitors are preferred over other blood pressure medicines for people who have diabetes because ACE inhibitors do not affect blood sugar levels and they help protect the kidneys from damage. (For more information about ACE inhibitors, see the topics High Blood Pressure [Hypertension] and Diabetic Nephropathy.)

Credits

Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology
Last Updated June 3, 2008
Author:Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Last Updated: 06/03/2008

Health Resources

help

Featured Expert

Yahoo! Experts share their tips and advice

Your Healthy Heart

By Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.

See All Yahoo Experts »

Yahoo! Health Groups

Join the Conversation

Join a Yahoo! Group and discuss with other memebers in the group. Share tips and experiences

See All Yahoo Groups »

Tip of the Day

Provided by: RealAgeNov 5, 2009

Piling your favorite sandwich fixings on the right kind of bread could mean healthier blood pressure. The right choice? One hundred percent whole-grain.

Read More »

View All Tips »