Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Congestive Heart Failure and High Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a kind of cardiac disease in which the heart fails to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension (HTN), is defined as high pressure or tension in the arteries. CHF and HTN are a typical combination in Type 2 diabetic patients.

The Link between HTN and Insulin Resistance

HTN and insulin resistance are linked in Type 2 diabetes patients, according to research. Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia, which, in conjunction with fatty acids in the blood, may alter the makeup of the blood vessels, resulting in CHF. The blood vessel lining may then thicken, leading to HTN.

Increased Risk of CHF in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

The occurrence of CHF is higher in individuals with Type 2 diabetes due to arterial HTN. The mechanisms that bring about the higher rates of CHF in persons with Type 2 diabetes are probably multifactorial and entail the common and accelerated comorbid conditions of HTN (Nasir & Aguilar, 2017). Where a patient has both diabetes and HTN, then the patient has a double risk of developing cardiovascular disease (American Heart Organization, 2017).

Cardiac Diseases in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Cardiac diseases such as HTN in patients with Type 2 Diabetes increase the risk of CHF and other diseases such as cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease (Konzem, Devore, & Bauer, 2002). Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing and even dying from heart failure. This is partly explained by the association of HTN and diabetes. It explains why most people with Type 2 diabetes and HTN need a combination therapy to achieve optimal blood pressure goals.

References

American Heart Organization. (2017, 4 14). Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes. Retrieved from American Heart Organization: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Diabetes/WhyDiabetesMatters/Cardiovascular-Disease-Diabetes_UCM_313865_Article.jsp/#.WQjOw_l9600

Konzem, S. L., Devore, V. S., & Bauer, D. W. (2002, October 1). Controlling Hypertension in Patients with Diabetes. Retrieved from American Family Physician: http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/1001/p1209.html

Nasir, S., & Aguilar, D. (2017, May 2). Congestive Heart Failure and Diabetes: Balancing Glycemic Control with Heart Failure Improvement. Retrieved from National Centre for Biotechnology Infomation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480672/