Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes

About this service

Coordinated control of blood pressure, glucose and risk factors for the heart and kidneys

When high blood pressure or elevated blood glucose occur separately or together in one person, it is important to look beyond the numbers on a blood pressure monitor or glucose meter. These conditions can increase the burden on the kidneys, heart, brain and the blood vessels of the eyes and therefore require coordinated decisions that protect the body as a whole.

This service is suitable for people with arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes or both — especially when it is important to assess the reasons for inadequate control and coordinate further treatment.

At CALENDULA, medical support is combined with personalised nutrition, movement and supportive methods from Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. We assess how medicines, meal patterns, physical activity and procedures work together so that the plan is clear and practical in everyday life.

The main principle is organ protection and management of identified risk factors. Traditional methods are selected as an addition to necessary therapy, not as a reason to stop it. The doctor assesses whether medication can be changed based on the results of ongoing monitoring.

Who this service is for

• For arterial hypertension, alone or together with other risk factors.
• For type 2 diabetes, alone or together with hypertension.
• When indicators are not adequately controlled or there are questions about treatment tolerance.
• For accompanying disorders of lipid metabolism, weight or physical activity.
• For those who want to coordinate nutrition, self-monitoring and further medical follow-up.
• For those considering phytotherapy, bodywork and restorative procedures as an addition to treatment under medical supervision.

Medical assessment and strategy

Review of the current condition. The doctor examines the medical history, home blood pressure and glucose readings, episodes of low blood sugar, current medications and wellbeing.

Assessment of metabolism and kidney function. Where indicated: HbA1c, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine albumin/creatinine ratio and lipid profile. These indicators help assess diabetes control and the condition of organs it may affect.

Personal targets. Blood pressure and glucose targets are determined taking age, coexisting conditions and the risk of hypoglycaemia into account. For many patients, the doctor may consider a blood pressure target below 130/80 mmHg if this level is well tolerated; the individual target is determined during consultation.

Organ-focused therapy. Necessary medicines for blood pressure, glucose and lipids are discussed. Where indicated, the doctor considers medicines with benefits for the heart or kidneys: ACE inhibitors or ARBs, SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2 is a glucose transporter protein in the kidneys; blocking it helps remove excess glucose in the urine), and GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone involved in regulating blood glucose and appetite). They work in different ways and are selected individually rather than prescribed as a single set.

Individual programme

Medical support. Monitoring of treatment tolerance, review of measurements and adjustment of therapy where needed. Changes in nutrition and procedures are coordinated with glucose-lowering treatment.

Ayurvedic support. Snehana oil treatments and gentle Svedana warming may be used as supportive relaxing methods after contraindications have been assessed. Internal Panchakarma procedures are considered separately because of their possible effects on nutrition and fluid balance.

Nutrition. A personalised diet taking carbohydrate load, salt, body weight and kidney function into account. A routine is selected that can be continued at home.

Movement and self-regulation. Suitable therapeutic exercise, gentle qigong, yoga and pranayama. Intensity takes into account the condition of the heart, blood vessels, feet and peripheral nerves.

Bodywork. Shirodhara, suitable massage, lymphatic drainage and acupuncture may complement the individual plan and help reduce tension. Zalmanov baths require separate assessment, especially where sensation is impaired.

CALENDULA phytotherapy. Personalised plant-based formulations from the Calendula Pharma laboratory are selected according to the individual’s health status. When glucose-lowering medicines are used, monitoring for possible additional reductions in glucose is especially important, so every formula is checked for interactions with current therapy.

Additional methods. Physiotherapy platforms, metameric methods and device-based lymphatic drainage are selected where there are separate clinical indications; they are not offered as a universal treatment for diabetic neuropathy.

The content and duration are determined after the initial examination, taking indications, contraindications and medicines into account. Reducing the number of medicines is not a required outcome of the course.

Programme goals and final consultation

To assess blood pressure and glucose control, treatment tolerance and mastery of self-monitoring. You receive coordinated recommendations on therapy, nutrition, activity and timing of investigations. Chest pain, sudden neurological symptoms, severe shortness of breath or loss of consciousness require urgent care.