Hypertension Chronic Renal Failure
Chronic renal failure is the condition when kidneys stop doing their functions to a critically low level. This functional loss is gradual and happens over a long time, but it can also occur suddenly due to an injury or other reasons that cause organs to fail suddenly. The kidneys’ job is to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is one reason kidneys fail to function properly. When this condition continues for an extended period, it leads to hypertension chronic renal failure. An advanced level of kidney disease creates serious health issues where the body retains wastes, electrolytes, toxins, and fluids that should be removed.
Managing Chronic Renal Failure
There are few symptoms during the initial stages of kidney disease, making it difficult to diagnose it early. In the advanced stages, it can be challenging to treat this disease – any treatment plan then is limited to slowing its development.
It is done by controlling the causes, managing the condition, and using other solutions to get relief from the problem. However, these steps may fail to prevent the progression of kidney damage. In chronic kidney failure, the patient may die if a kidney transplant or dialysis is unsuccessful.
The Role of Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure
Hypertension is known as a major factor behind chronic kidney disease. It is not only the cause but also the effect as the failure of the kidneys to do their functions increases blood pressure. The kidneys remove wastes and excess liquid from the blood. When they fail to handle this function, it leads to the buildup of these unwanted substances in the blood – this condition damages arteries, increasing blood pressure.
The failure of blood vessels also increases the risks of heart disease, dementia, and stroke. Hypertension chronic renal failure indicates kidneys are damaged severely and require immediate treatment.
Who is at a Higher Risk of HBP?
Older people are most likely to face this problem as blood pressure increases with age. The blood vessels stiffen and thicken over time naturally, increasing blood pressure. At the same time, HBP can occur even in younger individuals. For example, those who have hypertension running in the family are more likely to face this health issue.
Individuals leading an unhealthy lifestyle, like excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and sodium (salt), and not being physically active, are also at high risk of developing hypertension. HBP is seen more in African adults compared to Caucasian, Hispanic, or Asians. Men are also more likely to get affected before age 55 while women usually suffer from it after age 55.
Common Symptoms of Advanced Hypertension Chronic Renal Failure
Some of these symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or nausea
- Feeling tired, weak, or dizzy
- Sleep problems or drowsiness
- Increased urination
- Dry, darkened, or itchy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Weight loss
- Edema (swelling of feet area)
- Headache
- Decreased mental alertness
- Metallic taste
- Feeling cold
What Are the Causes of Hypertension Chronic Renal Failure?
Renal hypertension is one of the common causes of secondary hypertension, which is different from primary hypertension, that does not occur due to other medical conditions.
Also called renovascular hypertension, renal hypertension develops because of renal artery stenosis, which is the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys. This condition affects the blood pressure regulating functions of the kidneys.
The kidneys are known mainly as a filtration system that removes excess fluid and wastes. However, they are also responsible for maintaining fluid levels – an imbalance in these levels affects blood pressure.
In renal artery stenosis, the kidneys react to the decreased blood flow like the body is experiencing dehydration. They release the renin enzyme that is a part of the renin-angiotensin hormone system, which includes renin, angiotensin I, angiotensin II, angiotensin-converting enzyme 1, and aldosterone.
The kidneys release renin when blood pressure drops below the normal level. Renin itself does not change blood pressure; it is a precursor that, once in the bloodstream, causes the liver to produce angiotensin I, which then causes the release of the angiotensin II hormone that, in turn, increases blood pressure.
Angiotensin II also causes the production of the aldosterone hormone that makes the kidneys retain water and salt. This condition increases the fluid amount in the body, increasing blood pressure.
Complications Caused by Renal Hypertension
If renal hypertension is not treated in time, it affects many organs because continued high blood pressure stresses arteries, causing them to bulge or rupture. The organs affected by this condition can fail to perform their functions.
Some of these complications include aneurysm, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, pulmonary edema, myocardial infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy, retinopathy, and stroke.
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension chronic renal failure, you should seek an expert medical opinion and follow the suggestions and treatments given by your doctor.
If you are looking for a second opinion on this health condition or need further guidance, contact Dr. Shimon Storch for further consultation. He will provide expert guidance to help you manage this condition better. You can book an online consultation with him here.
