The Impacts of Hypertension on Your Kidney Health
Hypertension, often called the “silent killer,” affects millions of people worldwide. It can impact your kidney health, leading to serious complications, including chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure. Dr. Sadeddin and his dedicated team at Texas Advanced Renal Health provide trusted kidney care to enhance your health and quality of life. We are here for you every step of the way.
Understanding Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition that results from the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels being consistently too high, meaning your heart has to work harder to pump blood. Your blood pressure is determined by how much blood your heart pumps and the resistance to its flow in the arteries. If not treated and controlled, hypertension can damage your blood vessels and lead to serious health concerns, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. The good news is that high blood pressure can be managed effectively through lifestyle changes, medication, or a combination of both.
How Does High Blood Pressure Impact Your Kidney Health?
The kidneys are essential organs that keep your body healthy by filtering waste and extra fluids from your blood, maintaining your electrolyte balance, and producing hormones that help control blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can seriously damage the delicate blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste from your blood.
When this happens, the kidneys can no longer remove waste and excess fluids from the body. Damage to the kidney’s blood vessels can impair their natural ability to regulate blood pressure, and fluid buildup can further elevate it. This creates a vicious cycle where kidney damage worsens high blood pressure, and high blood pressure causes further kidney damage, eventually leading to chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure if left unmanaged.
What Are the Signs of Hypertension?
Hypertension is often referred to as a “silent killer” because most people have no noticeable symptoms, especially in the early stages. That’s why regular monitoring is important, especially if you have a family history or risk factors for kidney disease.
When the blood pressure becomes extremely high, it may produce warning signs, including the following:
- Severe headaches, especially in the morning
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Blurred or double vision
- Recurring nosebleeds
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or confusion
- Chest pain or heart palpitations
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blood in the urine (in rare cases)
These symptoms may not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure, but they warrant an evaluation. The most reliable way to detect hypertension is through regular health checks and blood pressure readings by your healthcare provider.
How Is Hypertension Treated and Managed?
Managing your hypertension starts with lifestyle changes, including a kidney-healthy diet, monitoring your sodium, phosphorus, potassium, and protein intake, steering clear of foods that are processed or high in trans fats, drinking plenty of water, refraining from smoking, reducing stress levels, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
In some cases, controlling hypertension may also require medication. Dr. Sadeddin may recommend diuretics to remove excess fluids, ACE inhibitors or ARBs to reduce the hormone that narrows the blood vessels, beta blockers to open up your blood vessels and reduce the workload on the heart, or calcium channel blockers to relax your blood vessels and help your blood flow with ease. The treatment options right for you will depend on your unique needs. Dr. Sadeddin will monitor your blood pressure and make any needed adjustments to your treatment plan to minimize its impacts on your kidney health.
Trusted Kidney Care Near Me in McKinney, TX
Contact Texas Advanced Renal Health to learn more about managing your hypertension and enhancing your kidney health. Dr. Sadeddin and his patient-centered team are committed to providing exceptional, personalized care to keep your kidneys functioning their best for as long as possible. We invite you to call 972-548-4833 or visit us online to schedule your appointment today!