High blood pressure and kidney disease are closely associated. Your HBP affects kidneys, and damaged kidneys increase blood pressure. Those who have kidney disease are at risk of heart disease or stroke. You can keep your kidneys healthy by keeping your blood pressure within the normal range. High blood pressure kidney disease can be controlled and managed with appropriate steps. Do not delay the recommended lifestyle changes, and keep taking any prescribed medication as long as advised.
This health issue is challenging to diagnose because there are very few symptoms. It is usually when some other health issues are diagnosed that the problem of high blood pressure is found. Once you have HBP, you have to measure it regularly at home as it can be difficult to visit a clinic or pharmacy for this measurement every day.
Daily HBP readings help obtain accurate BP values after taking the average of multiple BP readings. You should learn how to take your BP readings – follow the instructions given in the manual of your BP monitor device. You can use an easy-to-use and portable automatic BP monitor device. This device measures BP against the walls of your arteries. If the BP remains consistently high for over three months, it is called high blood pressure or hypertension. In such a condition, the blood vessels are constricted and not that stretchy, putting pressure on the heart and other organs that depend on the normal blood supply to function normally. The BP increases when blood vessels are clogged or narrow.
HBP, in the long term, can affect the renal blood vessels leading to the development of kidney disease. Kidneys receive blood supply through lots of blood vessels. If the HBP issue persists for a long time, these blood vessels become narrowed, and they lose their stretchy effect or weaken. In such a condition, these tubes are unable to supply the right amount of blood to the nephrons of the kidneys.
Nephrons are nano-size tubes that do the job of filtering blood in the kidneys. The smallest blood vessels with hair-like capillaries supply blood to nephrons. Normal blood supply ensures sufficient supplies of oxygen and nutrients to the nephrons, so they remain healthy and function as required. When nephrons are unable to receive normal blood supply, they cannot filter the blood properly – kidneys become damaged in this condition.
Healthy kidneys use the aldosterone hormone made by adrenal glands to regulate BP. When this function is impaired due to HBP, it leads to a vicious cycle where kidneys cannot use this hormone, making it difficult to bring down the HBP. Gradually, more blood vessels are narrowed or blocked, increasing the risk of kidney failure. Once that happens, the kidneys are unable to process and remove the extra fluid and wastes from the body.
Some individuals are more likely to have HBP than others. Older people are more likely to have HBP as the blood vessels stiffen and thicken with age, and this increases BP. If HBP runs in the family, the next generation will likely have this health problem.
Most people develop HBP due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. Alcoholic beverages, sodium (salt), caffeine, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are some of the reasons that lead to HBP. It is more common in African Americans compared to Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian people.
Men are more likely to develop HBP compared to women. Those who suffer from diabetes can experience increased BP. HBP can be caused by kidney disease, and damaged kidneys can cause HBP, creating a cycle that worsens both conditions.
Individuals suffering from HBP generally do not show any symptoms, especially in the initial stages. Kidney disease also does not have many symptoms in its early stages. However, as this disease worsens, symptoms like swollen legs caused by edema can be seen. It happens because the kidneys are unable to remove extra salt and fluid. Edema primarily affects the legs, but sometimes it is also seen in the hands and face.
The following symptoms are seen in the advanced stage of kidney disease:
A blood test is used to see if the kidneys can filter the blood normally. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test is performed to determine how much blood is passing through the glomeruli of kidneys that filter blood.
Dr. Shimon Storch provides online consultations for HBP. You should first consult your physician when you have high blood pressure kidney disease. After consulting Dr. Storch, you should show the recommendations to your doctor before implementing them. Start your consultation with Dr. Storch here.
