High Blood Pressure and Your Kidneys
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in Canada. At the same time, kidney disease can cause high blood pressure.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
In Canada, one in five adults has high blood pressure. Estimates suggest that more than 90% of Canadians will develop hypertension if they live an average lifespan.
A major risk factor for developing hypertension is having parents with hypertension. An unhealthy lifestyle is also an important risk factor. Key lifestyle factors include:
A diet too low in fresh fruits and vegetables, fibre and low-fat dairy products
A diet with too much sodium (salt) and saturated fat
Lack of physical activity
Being overweight
Too much alcohol (more than two standard drinks per day for women, or three standard drinks for men)
Excessive stress
We’re Here to Help
The Kidney Foundation of Canada is committed to achieving excellent kidney health, optimal quality of life, and a cure for kidney disease.
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When your heart beats, it pushes blood through your arteries to the rest of your body. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of the blood on the walls of your blood vessels. It’s described with two numbers:
systolic blood pressure (the top of the pressure wave after your heart beats)
diastolic blood pressure (the bottom of the pressure wave in between heartbeats)
For example, a blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg means that the systolic pressure is 130 and the diastolic pressure is 85. Both numbers are important.
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High blood pressure is also called hypertension. The diagnosis is usually based on multiple readings taken by your doctor over a period of weeks or months. For people that are otherwise healthy, a good resting blood pressure is a reading of 120-139/80-89 mm Hg.
Resting blood pressure is a measurement taken after five minutes of rest while seated in a quiet place. Readings that are higher than the target is called hypertension. In people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, resting blood pressure should be even lower, less than 130/80 mm Hg. However, blood pressure goals vary for each person. Discuss your blood pressure goal with your doctor.
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High blood pressure is a silent disease. It doesn’t show signs or symptoms until it’s been causing damage to your organs for many years. To find out if your blood pressure is high, have it checked by a healthcare provider or at places such as pharmacies. Because blood pressure readings can vary, a single high reading doesn’t always mean that you have hypertension. If you’ve had a high reading, make sure that you have it rechecked by a healthcare provider. You should know what your blood pressure is and have it checked regularly.
How Are High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease Related?
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in Canada. At the same time, kidney disease can cause high blood pressure.
The kidney damage caused by high blood pressure can lead to salt retention, which increases blood pressure further. Treating high blood pressure is the most important way to delay or prevent the progression of kidney disease.
Why Is It Important to Control High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure that isn’t well controlled increases the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and kidney failure, as well as damage to your blood vessels.
If you have kidney disease and diabetes as well as high blood pressure, you need to be especially careful about maintaining good blood pressure control. Controlling blood pressure is one of the most important things you can do to help slow the progression of kidney disease.
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Know what your blood pressure numbers are, and what your blood pressure goal should be. Both your systolic and diastolic blood pressure should be at your target level. A healthy lifestyle is key to blood pressure control.
Here are some lifestyle changes that will help you control your blood pressure:
Eat a diet low in sodium (salt)
Choose fresh and unprocessed foods more often
Eat fruit and vegetables every day
Be physically active on a regular basis
Maintain a healthy body weight
Limit your alcohol intake (Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines recommends no more than 2 drinks a day, 10 per week for women, and no more than 3 drinks a day, 15 per week for men, and not drinking on some days each week)
Don’t smoke
Reduce stress through relaxation techniques
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If your blood pressure stays above the goal established by your doctor, you’ll probably need to take medication. Most people with kidney disease do. There are many types of blood pressure medication and, since everyone’s needs are different, your doctor will decide which one is best for you.
Controlling high blood pressure is a team effort and you’re the most important person on the team. Be sure to see your doctor regularly and take your medications as prescribed.
Never stop taking your blood pressure medication without talking to your doctor. Proper control of high blood pressure can reduce the risk of future health problems. A healthy lifestyle and the right medications can help.
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