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The NDSS is administered by Diabetes Australia
The NDSS is administered by Diabetes Australia
Languages
Health professional checking blood pressure

Blood pressure

High blood pressure is common in people with diabetes. High blood pressure can more than double the risk of heart disease.

As the heart pumps blood around the body through the arteries, a force or pressure is created as the blood travels. This is known as blood pressure.

As a general guide, the blood pressure target for people with diabetes is 130/80 to 140/90 or lower. Your doctor will advise you on a blood pressure target to meet your health needs considering factors such as existing cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, your age or other risk factors.

Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help manage your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other diabetes-related complications.

Ask your general practitioner (GP) or practice nurse to check your blood pressure at every visit or at least every six months.

Discuss your blood pressure targets with your doctor.

Home blood pressure monitors are available through some pharmacies. However, it is best to talk to your doctor first if you are thinking of buying one.

Work with your diabetes health professionals to keep your blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol as close to your target ranges as possible. Research shows that keeping blood pressure in the target range reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications such as:

  • stroke
  • heart disease
  • kidney disease
  • serious eye problems
  • nerve damage.

Read more in our fact sheets.

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Your diabetes annual cycle of care', outlining the checklist for reviewing diabetes management and general health each year. The header image depicts a medical consultation, showing a female doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope talking to an older male patient in a clinic room. Below the blue title, the text details yearly health checks, featuring a subsection on HbA1c on the left and sections regarding blood pressure and foot checks on the right.
Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year.

Download now

There are steps you can take to lower your blood pressure:

  • regular physical activity
  • follow a healthy diet
  • reduce your salt intake
  • lose weight if you are carrying extra weight
  • drink less alcohol
  • do not smoke. If you do, try to quit.

Read more in our fact sheets.

An informational fact sheet from NDSS titled 'Physical activity'. The text explains the health benefits of regular exercise for managing diabetes, covering different types of physical activities. It features a large header image at the top showing a smiling woman sitting in a grassy park looking at a personal trainer or friend, accompanied by structured text columns, bright orange headings, and orange bulleted lists outlining benefits and tips.
Physical activity fact sheet

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to improve your general health. It can also help manage your diabetes.

Available in other languages Download now
An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Healthy food choices', offering guidance on balanced eating for managing diabetes. The header image at the top shows a top-down view of food preparation, featuring hands mixing green leaves in a bowl alongside sliced avocados, red apples, and a knife on a wooden board. Below the orange title, the text explains healthy eating principles and includes bulleted tips. A circular pie chart on the right side illustrates healthy plate proportions: half the plate for non-starchy vegetables or salad, one-quarter for lean protein foods, and one-quarter for grain foods or starchy vegetables.
Healthy food choices fact sheet

Healthy eating, along with regular physical activity, can help you look after your diabetes. It can also help you manage other risk factors like high blood pressure, or unhealthy cholesterol.

Download now
An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Alcohol' explaining the health impacts of drinking when living with diabetes. The header image shows a group of older adults smiling and socialising at an outdoor table while holding wine glasses. The text outlines how alcohol can affect judgment, contribute to weight gain, mask or cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), and interact with diabetes medications like insulin
Alcohol fact sheet

When you have diabetes, there are some extra things to consider when you drink alcohol. It can have many different effects on your body.

Download now

To help you manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications, work with your diabetes health professional to set goals and fill in a personalised Information Prescription. Information Prescriptions help you understand and improve your health targets to manage your diabetes. Read more in our Information Prescription.

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Diabetes and your blood pressure'. The header features a photograph of a healthcare worker applying a blood pressure cuff to a patient's arm. The document contains medical guidance text, an illustrative diagram comparing normal blood pressure to high blood pressure inside an artery, and actionable advice on monitoring and managing blood pressure levels
Diabetes and your blood pressure Information Prescription

People with diabetes and high blood pressure are at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. By lowering your blood pressure, you can significantly reduce your risk.

Download

It is essential to do an annual cycle of care to find any health problems early. Without regular checks, diabetes can lead to health problems that can affect your whole body, including your kidneys, eyes, feet, nerves and heart. Ask your doctor for the timing of health checks and targets that meet your individual health needs.

Read more in our fact sheet or listen to our podcast.

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Your diabetes annual cycle of care', outlining the checklist for reviewing diabetes management and general health each year. The header image depicts a medical consultation, showing a female doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope talking to an older male patient in a clinic room. Below the blue title, the text details yearly health checks, featuring a subsection on HbA1c on the left and sections regarding blood pressure and foot checks on the right.
Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year.

Download now
A light blue promotional graphic featuring text that reads 'Have you listened to our Diabetes Annual Cycle of Care Podcast?'. Below the main text, there is a dark blue rectangular button containing the words 'LISTEN TODAY
Annual cycle of care podcast series

Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about what it is, why it’s important, and what you need to know about it.

Available in other languages Listen now

Free access to diabetes programs

Learn to manage your diabetes confidently with diabetes programs, available face-to-face and online. Register for a diabetes program.

Beat It

This 8-week online program will help you on your journey to a healthier and more active life. 

Find an online program

Ready set go, let’s move

Available anywhere, anytime. In these short modules, you will build an individualised exercise plan to help you become more active.

Go to Ready set go, let’s move

Featured resources

An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Alcohol' explaining the health impacts of drinking when living with diabetes. The header image shows a group of older adults smiling and socialising at an outdoor table while holding wine glasses. The text outlines how alcohol can affect judgment, contribute to weight gain, mask or cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), and interact with diabetes medications like insulin
Alcohol fact sheet

When you have diabetes, there are some extra things to consider when you drink alcohol. It can have many different effects on your body.

Download now
An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Your diabetes annual cycle of care', outlining the checklist for reviewing diabetes management and general health each year. The header image depicts a medical consultation, showing a female doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope talking to an older male patient in a clinic room. Below the blue title, the text details yearly health checks, featuring a subsection on HbA1c on the left and sections regarding blood pressure and foot checks on the right.
Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet

The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year.

Download now
An informational fact sheet from NDSS titled 'Physical activity'. The text explains the health benefits of regular exercise for managing diabetes, covering different types of physical activities. It features a large header image at the top showing a smiling woman sitting in a grassy park looking at a personal trainer or friend, accompanied by structured text columns, bright orange headings, and orange bulleted lists outlining benefits and tips.
Physical activity fact sheet

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to improve your general health. It can also help manage your diabetes.

Available in other languages Download now
An NDSS fact sheet titled 'Healthy food choices', offering guidance on balanced eating for managing diabetes. The header image at the top shows a top-down view of food preparation, featuring hands mixing green leaves in a bowl alongside sliced avocados, red apples, and a knife on a wooden board. Below the orange title, the text explains healthy eating principles and includes bulleted tips. A circular pie chart on the right side illustrates healthy plate proportions: half the plate for non-starchy vegetables or salad, one-quarter for lean protein foods, and one-quarter for grain foods or starchy vegetables.
Healthy food choices fact sheet

Healthy eating, along with regular physical activity, can help you look after your diabetes. It can also help you manage other risk factors like high blood pressure, or unhealthy cholesterol.

Download now