A health sector charity in the UK has warned that about half of those with diabetes in the UK also have high blood pressure and this could have serious consequences.

Diabetes UK, citing the latest figures, said that only about 50.7% are meeting their blood pressure target. The data is compiled from a national audit of more than two million people with diabetes. It also said that not enough steps are taken when a person with diabetes is also diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Chief executive Barbara Young said, "Given the link between blood pressure and diabetes-related complications such as stroke, kidney failure and heart disease, it is extremely worrying that half of people with diabetes have high blood pressure."

She also said that people with diabetes should know that the high blood pressure can have serious impact on their health. Patients should not only be aware of their blood pressure but also take measures to reduce their blood pressure.

Diabetes UK looked at the National Diabetes Audit information from more than two million people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes that was collected between 2009 and 2010 and found that the figure has improves slightly compared to the previous year, when 50 per cent of people met the target.