This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
The Hidden Dangers of Hypertension: Understanding Kidney Disease ¶
Published on July 15, 2020
Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a major cause of kidney disease and kidney failure worldwide. According to medical experts, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys, leading to serious health complications.
So, what exactly is hypertension? It is the force exerted by your blood on the blood vessels as it flows around your body. During a hospital visit, it is one of the first tests taken at triage before seeing a doctor. A blood pressure cuff and an automated machine are used to measure your blood pressure.
When taking your blood pressure, the reading on the automated machine consists of two numbers at the top and the bottom. The number at the top is called the systolic blood pressure, representing the pressure generated by the heart when it pumps. The lower number, called the diastolic blood pressure, represents the pressure generated by the heart when it's relaxed. Normal blood pressure ranges between 110 – 129 / 60 – 79 mmHg. The pre-hypertension stage is between 130 – 139 / 80 – 89 mmHg. If your blood pressure reads above 140 / 90 mmHg, you are considered hypertensive.
Measuring your high blood pressure may seem basic and unnecessary, but it's crucial to monitor it regularly. Hypertension is considered a concern over time if left uncontrolled, as it continues to damage your heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke, heart attacks, visual loss, and kidney failure. Conversely, high blood pressure could also be a symptom of kidney disease.
Each kidney contains more than a million filtering units called nephrons. The nephrons are made up of tiny blood vessels. When these blood vessels become damaged by hypertension, they are progressively unable to filter toxins and excess water out of the body. Gradually, the percentage of kidney function reduces, leading to kidney failure. This can happen suddenly, termed as acute kidney failure, or for many years, called chronic kidney disease (CKD), eventually leading to chronic kidney failure.
CKD can be caused by high blood pressure, but it may also be caused by other diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, infections, and inflammatory diseases of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis). More than half of people with CKD have high blood pressure. This is because the kidneys play a major role in regulating blood pressure in the body through the production of various hormones. As the kidney function declines, so does its ability to regulate blood pressure, causing hypertension.
Preventing kidney disease caused by high blood pressure is crucial. Here are some steps you can take:
- Check your blood pressure regularly
- If you are already hypertensive, control your blood pressure by taking your medications as prescribed by the doctor
- Adopt a healthy diet, eating less sodium and less fat, and speak with a dietician if required
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes
- Quit smoking or using tobacco
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Keep your body at a healthy weight, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) range of 18.5 – 24.9
- Be active most days of the week
- Limit stress
Early kidney disease can only be detected using a simple blood kidney function test. Get your kidney checked at least once a year if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease.
It's essential to note that kidney disease does not have to lead to kidney failure. By taking proactive steps to monitor and control your blood pressure, you can reduce the risk of developing kidney disease and its associated complications.
By Dr. K. B. Soki, Nephrologist at The Nairobi Hospital
