Can low blood pressure cause high blood sugar

Q: What happens when your blood pressure is low?

If your blood pressure drops too low, your bodys vital organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, low blood pressure can lead to shock, which requires immediate medical attention. Signs of shock include cold and sweaty skin, rapid breathing, a blue skin tone, or a weak and rapid pulse.

Within certain limits, the lower your blood pressure reading is, the better. There is also no specific number at which day-to-day blood pressure is considered too low, as long as none of the symptoms of trouble are present.

Table of Contents Show

Symptoms of low blood pressure
Lowering the Risk
Underlying causes of low blood pressure
If you notice a sudden decline in blood pressure
What is hyperglycemia?
What are risk factors for hyperglycemia?
Symptoms and Causes
What causes hyperglycemia in people with diabetes?
What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?
Management and Treatment
How can I treat and manage hyperglycemia?
How do I prevent hyperglycemia?
Related Institutes & Services
Related Institutes & Services
More health news + info
Does sugar cause high or low blood pressure?
Does high sugar levels affect blood pressure?
What happens when your blood pressure is low?

Symptoms of low blood pressure

Most doctors will only consider chronically low blood pressure as dangerous if it causes noticeable signs and symptoms, such as:

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Nausea
Fainting (syncope)
Dehydration and unusual thirst
Dehydration can sometimes cause blood pressure to drop. However, dehydration does not always cause low blood pressure. Fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, overuse of diuretics and strenuous exercise can all lead to dehydration, a potentially serious condition in which your body loses more water than you take in. Even mild dehydration (a loss of as little as 1 percent to 2 percent of body weight) can cause weakness, dizziness and fatigue.
Lack of concentration
Blurred vision
Cold, clammy, pale skin
Rapid, shallow breathing
Fatigue
Depression

Lowering the Risk

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Underlying causes of low blood pressure

Low blood pressure can occur with:

Prolonged bed rest
Pregnancy: During the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, it’s common for blood pressure to drop.
Decreases in blood volume: A decrease in blood volume can also cause blood pressure to drop. A significant loss of blood from major trauma, dehydration or severe internal bleeding reduces blood volume, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure.
Certain medications: A number of drugs can cause low blood pressure, including diuretics and other drugs that treat hypertension; heart medications such as beta blockers; drugs for Parkinson’s disease; tricyclic antidepressants; erectile dysfunction drugs, particularly in combination with nitroglycerine; narcotics and alcohol. Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may cause low blood pressure when taken in combination with high blood pressure medications.
Heart problems: Among the heart conditions that can lead to low blood pressure are an abnormally low heart rate (bradycardia), problems with heart valves, heart attack and heart failure. Your heart may not be able to circulate enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
Endocrine problems: Such problems include complications with hormone-producing glands in the body’s endocrine systems; specifically, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), parathyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), low blood sugar and, in some cases, diabetes.
Severe infection (septic shock): Septic shock can occur when bacteria leave the original site of an infection (most often in the lungs, abdomen or urinary tract) and enter the bloodstream. The bacteria then produce toxins that affect blood vessels, leading to a profound and life-threatening decline in blood pressure.
Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): Anaphylactic shock is a sometimes-fatal allergic reaction that can occur in people who are highly sensitive to drugs such as penicillin, to certain foods such as peanuts or to bee or wasp stings. This type of shock is characterized by breathing problems, hives, itching, a swollen throat and a sudden, dramatic fall in blood pressure.
Neurally mediated hypotension: Unlike orthostatic hypotension, this disorder causes blood pressure to drop after standing for long periods, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fainting. This condition primarily affects young people and occurs because of a miscommunication between the heart and the brain.
Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of the essential vitamins B-12 and folic acid can cause anemia, which in turn can lead to low blood pressure.

If you notice a sudden decline in blood pressure

A single lower-than-normal reading is not cause for alarm, unless you are experiencing any other symptoms or problems. If you experience any dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or other symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult with your health care professional. To help with your diagnosis, keep a record of your symptoms and activities at the time they occurred.

Is low blood pressure related to low heart rate? Find out.

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.

Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) means there is too much sugar in the blood because the body lacks enough insulin. Associated with diabetes, hyperglycemia can cause vomiting, excessive hunger and thirst, rapid heartbeat, vision problems and other symptoms. Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to serious health problems.

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Overview
Symptoms and Causes
Management and Treatment
Prevention

Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)

Overview
Symptoms and Causes
Management and Treatment
Prevention
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Overview

What is hyperglycemia?

Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. This happens when your body has too little insulin (the hormone that transports glucose into the blood), or if your body can't use insulin properly. The condition is most often linked with diabetes.

Hyperglycemia is blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) while fasting (not eating for at least eight hours; a person with a fasting blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL has diabetes).

A person has impaired glucose tolerance, or pre-diabetes, with a fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL.
A person has hyperglycemia if their blood glucose is greater than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after eating.

If you have hyperglycemia and it’s untreated for long periods of time, you can damage your nerves, blood vessels, tissues and organs. Damage to blood vessels can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, and nerve damage may also lead to eye damage, kidney damage and non-healing wounds.

What are risk factors for hyperglycemia?

Major risk factors for hyperglycemia are:

You have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
You are African American, Native American, Hispanic or Asian American.
You are overweight.
You have high blood pressure or cholesterol.
You have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
You have a history of gestational diabetes.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes hyperglycemia in people with diabetes?

The dose of insulin or oral diabetes medication that you are taking is not the most helpful dose for your needs.
Your body isn’t using your natural insulin effectively (type 2 diabetes).
The amount of carbohydrates you are eating or drinking is not balanced with the amount of insulin your body is able to make or the amount of insulin you inject.
You are less active than usual.
Physical stress (from illness, a cold, the flu, an infection, etc.) is affecting you.
Emotional stress (from family conflicts, emotional problems, school or work stresses, etc.) is affecting you.
You are taking steroids for another condition.
The dawn phenomenon (a surge of hormones the body produces every morning around 4 am to 5 a.m.) is affecting you.

Other possible causes

Endocrine conditions, such as Cushing syndrome, that cause insulin resistance.
Pancreatic diseases such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Certain medications (such as diuretics and steroids).
Gestational diabetes, which happens in 4% of pregnancies, and is due to decreased insulin sensitivity.
Surgery or trauma.

What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?

It’s especially important to know the early signs of hyperglycemia if you have type 1 diabetes. If hyperglycemia is left untreated in people with type 1 diabetes, it can develop into ketoacidosis, where ketones, which are toxic acids, build up in the blood. This condition is an emergency situation that can lead to coma or death.

Early symptoms of hyperglycemia include:

High blood sugar.
Increased thirst and/or hunger.
Blurred vision.
Frequent urination (peeing).
Headache.

Additional symptoms include:

Fatigue (feeling weak, tired).
Weight loss.
Vaginal and skin infections.
Slow-healing cuts and sores.

Symptoms of ketoacidosis are:

Vomiting.
Dehydration.
Unusual fruity smell on the breath.
Deep labored breathing or hyperventilation.
Rapid heartbeat.
Confusion and disorientation.
Coma.

Management and Treatment

How can I treat and manage hyperglycemia?

People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can manage hyperglycemia by eating healthy, being active, and managing stress. In addition, insulin is a critical part of managing hyperglycemia for people with type 1 diabetes, while people with type 2 diabetes may need oral medications and eventually insulin to help them manage hyperglycemia.

If you don’t have diabetes and have any of the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, call your healthcare provider. Together you can work to manage your hyperglycemia.

Prevention

How do I prevent hyperglycemia?

Exercise to help lower blood sugar. Work with your healthcare provider to make a daily activity plan.
Follow your meal plan if you have one. Learn how carbohydrates impact your blood sugar, and work with your diabetes care team to find the best meal plan for you.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Don’t smoke.
Limit drinking alcohol. Alcohol can raise blood sugar levels, but can also cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. Work with your provider to determine how much is safe to drink.

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Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/12/2020.

References

American Diabetes Association. Hyperglycemia (http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html) Accessed 2/28/2020.
National Institutes of Health. Hyperglycemia. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430900/) Accessed 2/28/2020.
Inzucchi SE, Bergenstal RM, Buse JB, et al. Management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes: a patient-centered approach: position statement of the American Diabetes

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Does sugar cause high or low blood pressure?

Yes, low blood sugar can lead to a rise in blood pressure. This happens when the body responds to low blood sugar levels by releasing adrenaline. This hormone causes your heart rate to increase and arteries to constrict, which can raise blood pressure levels.

Does high sugar levels affect blood pressure?

Diabetes damages arteries and makes them targets for hardening, called atherosclerosis. That can cause high blood pressure, which if not treated, can lead to trouble including blood vessel damage, heart attack, and kidney failure.

What happens when your blood pressure is low?

If your blood pressure drops too low, your body's vital organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, low blood pressure can lead to shock, which requires immediate medical attention. Signs of shock include cold and sweaty skin, rapid breathing, a blue skin tone, or a weak and rapid pulse.