Over time, high blood pressure that isn't controlled can hurt the blood vessels around the kidneys. It can make them narrow, weak, or stiff. Damaged blood vessels can't deliver enough blood to the kidney tissue. [4]

• Damaged blood vessels reduce blood flow and oxygen. Tiny nephrons inside the kidneys filter wastes and toxins from the blood. They depend on a steady supply of blood from capillaries. High blood pressure weakens these capillaries, and less blood reaches the nephrons.

• Impaired kidneys can't regulate blood pressure. Healthy kidneys respond to a hormone called aldosterone to help manage blood pressure. But kidney damage from hypertension prevents this from happening. This leads to a downward spiral as more blood vessels become blocked and stop functioning. [4]

Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease with Hypertension

High blood pressure can gradually damage the kidneys over time, leading to chronic kidney disease. While there is no cure, making healthy lifestyle changes and properly managing your blood pressure can help prevent further kidney damage. This allows you to maintain a higher quality of life and reduce complications. [5]

• Nutrition: Follow a heart-healthy diet, like the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan. This diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. It limits red meat, salt, sweets, and added sugars. Making these adjustments to your eating habits can significantly reduce blood pressure.

• Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol raises blood pressure. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation - no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Avoid binge drinking.

• Exercise: Being physically active for at least 150 minutes per week can lower blood pressure and relieve heart strain. Brisk walking, swimming, or cycling are great options.

• Stress: Find healthy ways to manage stress, as it causes blood pressure spikes. Try relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.

• Weight: Carrying excess weight puts extra pressure on the heart and blood vessels. Losing even a modest amount of weight can reduce your blood pressure.

• Smoking: Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. Both can damage blood vessels and raise the risk of high blood pressure. [5]

Additional Risk Factors

While diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of chronic kidney disease, other factors can also cause kidney damage over time. Understanding these additional risk factors can help you take steps to protect your kidney health.

Heart Disease

There is an important connection between the heart and the kidneys. When one organ is unhealthy, it impacts the other. Heart disease puts extra strain on the kidneys, while kidney disease increases the workload on the heart.

• When the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently, blood congests within the heart, and pressure builds up in the vein that connects the heart and kidneys. This congestion reduces the oxygen-rich blood that reaches the kidneys, damaging them.

• When the kidneys become impaired, the body's systems that regulate blood pressure go into overdrive to try and increase blood flow to the kidneys. The heart must pump harder against this higher pressure, which strains the heart over time. [6]

The takeaway is that kidney and heart disease tend to go hand in hand. Taking care of one can help take care of the other. Regular checkups, a healthy diet, exercise, and medication adherence can keep both organs healthy. [6]

Obesity

Extra weight can strain many body parts, including the kidneys. When someone is overweight or obese, it increases their chances of developing kidney disease for a couple of crucial reasons.

• Increased risk for diabetes and hypertension: Obesity is closely linked to the development of diabetes and hypertension, which are the leading causes of kidney disease. By achieving a healthy weight, you can help prevent or delay the onset of these conditions and lower your chances of kidney damage.

• Additional strain on the kidneys: Excess weight burdens the kidneys, forcing them to work harder to eliminate waste products beyond their normal capacity. This extra strain increases the likelihood of developing kidney disease over time. [7]

Aging

As we get older, our kidneys age along with the rest of our bodies. Unfortunately, aging kidneys are more prone to disease and damage. [8]

According to researchers, over half of all people 75 and older suffer from some form of kidney disease. Compared to younger individuals, seniors over 60 are more likely to develop kidney problems. [8]

The good news is that kidney disease can be detected early through simple screening. The National Kidney Foundation recommends that anyone over 60 get screened annually for kidney disease. A urine test can check for protein in your urine, an early sign that your kidneys may be struggling. A blood test can measure your kidney function. [8]

Conclusion

Chronic kidney disease is a serious but often preventable condition. By understanding the risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease, you can prevent disease progression through early intervention.

For more information on this condition, visit our dedicated chronic kidney disease blog.

The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.