According to specialists, blood pressure and kidney disease are connected, as the kidneys play an essential role in controlling the blood pressure. If hypertension or high blood pressure are ignored and not treated may cause damage in the functioning of the kidneys. And if kidneys are damaged the blood pressure may rise even higher. After diabetes, hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney disease and kidney failure.
When blood pressure is high your heart pumps blood harder, but at the same time it also damages blood vessels in the body by putting pressure on them. Hypertension damages the tiny fine blood vessels in the kidneys, and hence kidneys can stop functioning and doing their job of removing excess waste and fluid from the body. When excess fluids build up in the body, a person’s blood pressure increases even more.
Most commonly, the kidneys are severely harmed by high blood pressure. In the USA, untreated high blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney failure. It can occur in a short period of time, and even mild forms of high blood pressure can harm kidneys. Patients suffering from kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), have no choice, but to either go on dialysis or receive a new kidney through a transplant.
American Heart Association informs that approximately 5 million American citizens have high blood pressure. Unfortunately, most people with high blood pressure do not reveal any physical symptoms. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked by your physician. African-American people have a bigger chance to have high blood pressure and to suffer form kidney disease. Actually, African-Americans between 25- 44 years of age are 20 times more likely to develop kidney failure resulting from hypertension.
According to the National Institute of Health, there are several ways that can help you maintain a healthy blood pressure: regular controlling your weight, limiting salt and sodium consumption, a lot of physical activity, avoiding too much alcohol, giving up smoking, reducing caffeine intake.
Blood pressure can also be controlled and maintained by drugs known as ACE inhibitors reducing your BP. At the same time these medications protect the kidneys. If your blood pressure is high, it is necessary for you to consult your physician regularly, and control your blood pressure.
PREVENTING KIDNEY DISEASE
Your kidneys can be protected from being damaged by controlling your blood pressure. By decreasing your blood pressure and keeping it stable you can avoid kidney disease/failure. Your blood pressure should be always maintained below 120/80, especially as you grow older.
You should eat a well balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. Check your blood pressure regularly, particularly if any of the members of your family has hypertension or if you are African American. Always take the medicines prescribed by your physician, as it can save your life.
