You are here: PharmacyArticlesHypertensionHypertension and Kidney Disease Read more articles on: Hypertension Published on: September 30, 2020 Last Updated On: May 1, 2021 Free Delivery: Your medication is delivered directly to you at no added cost. We even offer same-day delivery in selected locations. Discreet Packaging: Your privacy is important. That's why we send your medication inside a plain delivery box so no one will know what's inside. Hypertension and Kidney Disease High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition where blood exerts excess pressure on the walls of blood vessels. Untreated hypertension can cause various complications such as chronic kidney disease. Hypertension is the second commonest cause, after diabetes, for kidney disorders. About 1 in 4 individuals with kidney failure have hypertension.Each kidney has about a million filtering units known as nephrons. Hypertension is seen to damage nephrons. Further, high blood pressure also damages the blood vessels of the kidneys. As the kidneys contain lots of blood vessels, hypertension is dangerous for your kidneys.Given these points, managing hypertension through lifestyle changes and medications is essential to prevent or manage kidney disease. Therefore, if you have hypertension, you can talk to your physician about the risk of kidney diseases and ways to prevent them.Table of Contents CausesKidney Disease Risk FactorsEffects Of Damaged KidneysSymptoms Of Kidneys DisorderRemediesControlling Blood PressureDietary ChangesLifestyle ModificationsMedicationsFinal ThoughtsCausesYour kidney filters about a half cup of blood each minute, filtering out extra water and wastes to make urine. If you have high blood pressure, it may narrow and weaken blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the kidneys. This narrowed blood vessels cannot supply blood efficientlyBesides, damaged blood vessels of the kidneys may not work properly. In such cases, your kidneys fail to remove extra fluid and wastes from your body. At the same time, extra fluid in the blood can further increase blood pressure, creating a vicious cycle. All of this may ultimately cause kidney failure.Kidney Disease Risk FactorsWhile anyone with high blood pressure can have kidney disease, certain risk factors that increase your risk are:Unhealthy and sedentary lifestyleBeing overweightA family history of kidney diseaseA habit of smoking and excess alcoholDiabetesAge above 65 years of ageHigh cholesterol levelsLiver disordersALSO READ High Blood Pressure Medication: Candesartan vs ClonidineEffects Of Damaged KidneysDamage kidneys are more likely to fail. Kidney failure or chronic kidney disease is an irreversible and long-term disorder.If left unattended, chronic kidney disease can have the following effects on your body:Congestive heart failureAnemiaFluid overloadWeight lossBrittle bonesElectrolyte imbalanceChronic kidney disease, if left unattended, may result in end-stage renal disease, where the kidneys begin to shut down.Symptoms Of Kidneys DisorderMost kidney disorders do not have any symptoms unless the kidneys are severely damaged. If present, some common symptoms are:Pedal edema (Swelling of legs)Periorbital edema (Swelling around the eyes)Shortness of breathFatigueA urine-like breath odorVomiting, especially after eating or in the morningNauseaAbnormally light or dark skinBone painDrowsinessNumbness in your feet and handsWeight lossItchingRestless leg syndromeBrittle nails and hairLoss of muscle massWeight lossLoss of muscle massBlood in stoolsEasy bleeding and bruisingDecreased interest in sexHiccupsExcessive thirstInsomniaImpotenceSleep apneaRemediesManaging underlying problem such as hypertension can prevent or slow down the progression of kidney disorders.Your doctor may advise the following to manage kidney disorder with hypertension includes:Controlling Blood PressureMaintaining your pressure is one of the most important things to prevent or manage kidney disorders. Your pressure readings involve two numbers; upper and lower. The upper number should be ≥130 mmHg and/or lower reading ≥80 mmHg.You can read more about hypertension management and care in our previous blog.Dietary ChangesWhat you drink and eat can influence your blood pressure. So, choose food items that are low in fat and salt. Here are some tips to get you started:Consume Less SaltLimit salt intake while cooking by adding lemon juice, herbs, or spices.Avoid the intake of processed foods.Limit the intake of salty snacks and fast food items such as pretzels, chips, or salted nuts.Avoid taking foods that are preserved or pickled, such as olives and pickles.Consume fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned. If you choose to have canned vegetables, rinse them with water to remove salt before consuming them.Prefer items that have “low-sodium” or “reduced-sodium” on their label. You can also look for potassium if you have kidney disease.ALSO READ A Brief Guide to HypertensionConsume Less FatGrill, bake, or your broil foods instead of frying them.Prefer lean fish or meat. Trim the fat off and remove the skin of your meats before cooking.Prefer items that have “low-fat” or “fat-free” on their label while purchasing salad dressing, low-fat dairy products, and mayonnaise.Try canola or olive oil instead of vegetable oil.Prefer egg substitute or egg whites instead of whole eggs.You can also get more details about the best diet plan for hypertension here.Lifestyle ModificationsBe ActiveStaying active can help you control your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It also helps in managing stress, which is a triggering factor for hypertension.The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, five days a week. This could include cycling, swimming, walking, or jogging.If it seems too much, you can do 10 minutes of activity three times a day. Here are some tips to get you started:Go for a walk after dinner.Take the stairs instead of the elevator.Look for activities that you enjoy, such as swimming, dancing, or playing a sport.However, consult your doctor before starting an exercise plan.Maintain Healthy WeightLosing extra pounds aids in lowering blood pressure and thus prevent kidney disorders. It is seen that losing one-kilogram aids in lowering pressure levels by about 1mmg.Limit Alcohol IntakeWhile moderate alcohol intake improves blood pressure levels, taking it in excess can make it worse. Guidelines for healthy drinking include:For women, one drink in a day.For men, two drinks in a day.Quit SmokingTaking tobacco can make kidney problems and hypertension worse. Quitting can lower the risk of kidney disorder or prevent it from getting worse.MedicationsIf eating healthier, being active, and other lifestyle changes are enough to cure hypertension and manage it. Your doctor may prescribe medications to prevent kidney disorders. ALSO READ How Effective Is Bisoprolol In Lowering Blood Pressure?There are many types of medications, and your doctor may advise one or more based on your condition.In most cases, two types of blood pressure medications aid in slowing down kidney damage or protect your kidneys:ARB: angiotensin II receptor blockerACE inhibitor: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorYour doctor may also prescribe a water pill or diuretic to help your body lose excess fluid that can cause high blood pressure.It works best when you take medications the way the doctor advises you. Blood pressure medications work best when taken daily.Final ThoughtsHypertension is a long-term condition and, if left unattended, it increases the risk of other disorders, including asthma & kidney diseases. While you may not always be able to prevent kidney disorders, managing hypertension, following a healthy diet, and being active significantly lowers the risk.If you have hypertension, regular screenings can help in catching kidney disorders at an earlier stage where they can be managed easily. So, if your blood pressure levels are high, talk to your doctor about your risk of kidney diseases and ways to manage it. We're Here for You: Our pharmacists are happy to answer your questions. Get in touch by text, live chat, phone or email. We're standing by 7 days a week. Automatic Refills: We manage your refills and get in touch with your doctors for prescription renewals so that you always have the medication you need. Read More... 2917 Views Share