Can Reducing High Blood Pressure Reduce the Risk of Kidney Disease

Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease

Blood pressure and kidney diseases are closely related as the kidneys play an important role in maintaining the body’s blood pressure. If hypertension or high blood pressure is left untreated, it can badly damage and impair the functioning of the kidneys. If your kidneys are damaged your blood pressure can rise even higher leading to several complications. It is said that hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney disease and kidney failure, after diabetes.

In the U.S, uncontrolled high blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney failure. Severely high blood pressure causes kidney failure in a short period of time, but even mild forms of high blood pressure can damage kidneys. Patients who suffer from kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), must either go on dialysis or receive a new kidney through a transplant.

How Can High Blood Pressure Cause Kidney Disease

High blood pressure makes the heart work hard and pump blood harder. At the same time it can also damage blood vessels in the body by putting excessive pressure on them and make them stop functioning and doing their job of removing excess waste and fluid from the body. When excess fluids build up in the body, it can raise a person’s blood pressure to greater extents.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 5 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure. Most people with high blood pressure do not show any physical symptoms. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked by your doctor. African-Americans are more likely than Caucasians to have high blood pressure and to develop kidney problems. In fact, African-Americans between the ages of 25- 44 are 20 times more likely to develop hypertension-related kidney failure.

The National Institute of Health has found 5 ways that can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure

• Controlling your weight
• Limiting salt or sodium intake
• Getting plenty of exercise
• Avoid drinking excessive alcohol and quit smoking
• Staying away from caffeine

Blood pressure can be controlled and maintained by medications known as ACE inhibitors that lower your BP, while at the same time protect your kidneys. If you have high blood pressure, it is vital that you see your doctor regularly and keep a close watch on your blood pressure.

Preventing Kidney Disease

By controlling your blood pressure you can save your kidneys from being damaged. By reducing your blood pressure and keeping it stable you can avoid kidney disease and failure altogether. It is important that you always keep your blood pressure below 120/80, especially as you grow older.

Eat a well balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. Make sure that you regularly check your blood pressure, particularly if you have hypertension in your family and you are an African American. Always take the medication that your doctor prescribes. Remember it can save your life!