What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls as the heart pumps out blood. High blood pressure, is an increase of force that blood places on blood vessels as it moves through the body.
Higher blood volume can increase this force due to extra fluid in the blood
Blood vessels that are narrow, stiff, or clogged can increase this force.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. The top number is called the systolic pressure and represents the pressure as the heart beats and pushes blood through the blood vessels. The bottom number is called the diastolic pressure and represents the pressure as blood vessels relax between heartbeats.
Prehypertension is a systolic pressure of 120 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89. High blood pressure is a systolic pressure of 140 or above or a diastolic pressure of 90 or above.
kidneys
Every day, the two kidneys filter about 120 to 150 liters of blood to produce about 1 to 2 liters of urine, composed of wastes and extra fluid.
How does high blood pressure affect the kidneys?
High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to work properly. When the force of blood flow is high, blood vessels stretch so blood flows more easily. Eventually, this stretching scars and weakens blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the kidneys.
If the kidneys’ blood vessels are damaged, they may stop removing wastes and extra fluid from the body. Extra fluid in the blood vessels may then raise blood pressure even more, creating a dangerous cycle.
Symptoms of high blood pressure and kidney disease?
Most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms.
Kidney disease also does not have symptoms in the early stages. Once kidney function decreases further, symptoms can include
appetite loss
chest pain
darkened skin
drowsiness or feeling tired
dry skin
generalized itching or numbness
headaches
increased or decreased urination
muscle cramps
nausea
shortness of breath
sleep problems
trouble concentrating
vomiting
weight loss
How to diagnose high blood pressure and kidney disease?
High blood pressure can be diagnosed by when multiple blood pressure tests.
Kidney disease is diagnosed with
Urine Tests
- Test for albumin : A test performed on a urine sample can detect the presence of albumin in the urine. Albumin is a protein in the blood that can pass into the urine when the kidneys are damaged.
- Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio : Albumin and creatinine measurement to determine the ratio between the albumin and creatinine in the urine. Creatinine is a waste product in the blood that is filtered in the kidneys and excreted in the urine. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio above 30 mg/g may be a sign of kidney disease.
Blood Tests
Get Screened for Kidney Disease
How to Prevent from Kidney Disease caused by high blood pressure?
Try to keep your blood pressure controlled.
Make sure you get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.
Eat a proper diet.
Get moderate exercise, such as walking, 30 minutes daily.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Quitting smoking
Managing stress
Medication
Medications may include
- Blood pressure-lowering medications.
- Diuretic that helps the kidneys remove fluid from the blood.
- Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers.
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