Renal Hypertension
Renal hypertension (or renovascular hypertension) is high blood pressure caused by the narrowing of your arteries that carry blood to your kidneys. It is also sometimes called renal artery stenosis. Because your kidneys are not getting enough blood, they react by making a hormone that makes your blood pressure rise.
This condition is a treatable form of high blood pressure when properly diagnosed.
High blood pressure increases the stress on your blood vessels in the kidneys, and the filtering elements which are responsible for keeping your blood clean. When high blood pressure is present, these blood vessels can thicken, the filtering units can form scars. Both of these changes can lead to your kidneys not working properly (chronic kidney disease) and they stop functioning properly — removing wastes and extra fluid from your body. When your kidneys don’t work well they can cause further increases in blood pressure by releasing certain hormones or by causing retention of salt and water in your body.
What are symptoms of high blood pressure and kidney disease?
Hypertension has no initial symptoms but can lead to long-term disease and complications, including damage to the heart, eyes, and kidneys. The damage can happen gradually over many years, without you feeling it. In some cases of hypertension patients may experience headaches.
Kidney disease also does not have symptoms in the early stages.
High blood pressure is diagnosed over a series of blood pressure tests, measured with a blood pressure cuff. Hypertension is diagnosed id blood pressure is consistently over 140/90.
Kidney disease is diagnosed with urine and blood checks.
Can hypertension and kidney disease be prevented or slowed down?
Taking steps to lower blood pressure will help slow or prevent kidney disease.
Blood pressure can be controlled with medication, as well as with a simple change of lifestyle.
Lifestyle changes include:
Healthy eating habits include:
- Foods low in fat and cholesterol
- Features fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products, fish, poultry and nuts
- Less red meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugary beverages
- Is rich in nutrients, protein, and fiber
Physical activity
Maintaining a healthy weight
Quitting smoking
Managing stress
Controlling the blood pressure with medication and lifestyle changes helps to protect the kidneys from further damage. This is why it is so important for people with high blood pressure to get tested for kidney disease.
