We often refer to hypertension (high blood pressure) as a “silent disease” because it does not always cause symptoms, and could go unchecked for years.
Diagnosing High Blood Pressure
When you get your blood pressure checked at your medical provider’s office, hypertension is diagnosed with two blood pressure readings of 140/90 or higher.
• The first (top) number is the systolic pressure inside your arteries when your heart is contracting.
• The second (bottom) number is the diastolic pressure when your arteries are relaxed.
High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease
Some types of kidney disease may cause hypertension; however, it is often the other way around, with hypertension causing kidney disease by damaging the filters and blood vessels in the kidneys. This makes it difficult for the kidneys to remove waste from the body. If enough damage has been done, then the person may be diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. Treatment for this condition is dialysis (a blood-cleansing process) or kidney transplantation.
Testing Kidney Function
Since people with hypertension have an increased risk of developing kidney disease, they should have their kidney function tested to make sure wastes are being filtered and eliminated from the body. Kidney function tests include:
• Blood tests for serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN); increased levels of either can indicate kidney damage;
• Urine test for proteinuria, an excess of protein in the urine, which would show protein is not being filtered by the kidneys.
High-Risk Groups
Certain populations have an increased risk of developing kidney disease due to hypertension. These groups include African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans, people who have diabetes, and people with a family history of high blood pressure and kidney disease.
Prevention
To prevent kidney disease caused by hypertension:
• Check your blood pressure regularly
• Lower salt and alcohol consumption
• Lose weight as needed
• Engage in regular aerobic exercise
• Stop smoking
• If necessary, take blood pressure medication as directed by your medical provider.
High blood pressure also puts you at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Although you may not see any signs, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following: a very bad headache, chest pain, problems breathing, weakness on one side of your body and not the other, problems speaking, nausea or vomiting, confusion, vision changes or nosebleeds. These symptoms signal a medical emergency.
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.