Every part of our body is connected with another part and any kind of issue with one part, definitely increases the issues of another part. According to a famous newspaper around 10 per cent of the Indian population suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD), and every year over one lakh cases of renal failure are reported and this number is increasing. Do you know that this increasing number of kidney issues is not only happening for the kidney itself? It is also happening because of hypertension or high blood pressure. Surprised? Don’t be. In this blog, we will inform you how high blood pressure or hypertension is affecting kidney health. If you or your loved ones are suffering from high blood pressure, have a medical checkup in Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital now.

1. How does high blood pressure or hypertension harm kidney health?

• The nephrons in the kidneys are supplied with a dense network of blood vessels, and high volumes of blood flow through them. If you have had high blood pressure for a long time, it will make the arteries around the kidneys narrow, weaken or harden. So, eventually, the arteries will be damaged and will not be able to deliver enough blood to the kidney tissue.
• At the same time, the damaged kidney arteries will not filter blood very well. The nephrons will not receive the essential oxygen and nutrients. Then the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood and regulate the fluid, hormones, acids and salts in the body.
• When you have healthy kidneys, it helps in responding to the aldosterone hormone which gets produced from the adrenal glands. This hormone helps in regulating blood pressure in the body. Kidney damage and uncontrolled high blood pressure contribute to a negative spiral. As more arteries become blocked and stop functioning, the kidneys eventually fail.

2. What is high blood pressure or hypertension?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls as your heart pumps out blood. A normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg. Anything more or less of this level is a problem and you should take expert advice to handle it.

3. What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

Apart from kidney-related issues, high blood pressure or hypertension can cause various diseases such as Heart attack or stroke. Hardening and thickening of the arteries due to high blood pressure or other factors can lead to a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, eye problems, metabolic syndrome, changes with memory or understanding and at extreme levels it can cause dementia too. So, it is important to diagnose it at an early stage. So, here are some symptoms which will help you to diagnose when will you need medical help. The symptoms are-

• Severe headaches
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision or other vision changes
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Buzzing in the ears
• Nosebleeds
• Abnormal heart rhythm

4. What are the symptoms of kidney issues?

If you or your loved ones have high blood pressure and are under medication, still they can develop kidney-related issues. So, it is important to keep an eye on it. Here are the symptoms of kidney issues-

• Sudden water retention in the body
• Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
• Drowsiness, feeling tired, or sleep problems
• Headaches or trouble concentrating
• Increased or decreased urination
• Generalized itching or numbness, dry skin, or darkened skin
• Weight loss
• Muscle cramps
• Chest pain or shortness of breath

5. What are ways of controlling blood pressure?

Well, you must visit a doctor first. However, you can take some measures to control high blood pressure. Here are the measures-

a. Have a check on your weight: Being overweight can lead you to high blood pressure and it also can lead you to sleep apnea which further leads you to high blood pressure. So, it is important for everyone to have a check on their weight. You can visit a doctor to know your exact weight which you need to be maintained. Also, the size of the waistline is important. Carrying too much weight around the waist can increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Generally, Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimetres) & Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 centimetres).

b. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise helps in lowering high blood pressure effectively. The goal is to have 30 minutes of exercise regularly. For example, aerobic exercise that can help lower blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing. However, do not forget to have a chat with your doctor before starting anything new.

c. Stick to a healthy diet: A healthy diet such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated fat and cholesterol can lower high blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg. so, always stick to a healthy diet. Well, this is not only important for controlling high blood pressure but also important for your whole well-being.

d. Have an eye on sodium consumption: Reducing sodium consumption even slightly can have a positive impact on heart health and lower high blood pressure by 5 to 6 mm Hg. The impact of salt consumption on blood pressure differs amongst demographic groups. Generally speaking, keep your daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg or fewer. For most adults, though, a daily consumption of 1,500 mg or less of salt is recommended. To have better control of your sodium consumption we would suggest some steps, such as

• Always read the labels, if you are consuming a ready to eat food.
• Avoid any kind of processed foods. High amounts of sodium or salts are used in food processing.
• Do not eat uncooked salts. Many times, we love to sprinkle salt on our foods, specifically foods like chips or chats. Don’t do that.

e. Limit alcohol & quit smoking: Alcohol & smoke both can increase your blood pressure level. So, it will be best for you to quit both of these.

These are some general tips which will help you to have control. However, we must mention that it varies from patient to patient. So, always have a clear chat with your doctor and ask for every detail.

6. How Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital can help you in treating your kidney-related issues and blood pressure?

Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital has world-class infrastructure & the best doctors to take care of you. Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital has expertise in taking care of issues such as acute & chronic kidney diseases, haemodialysis, glomerulonephritis, renal biopsy, glomerular disease & hemodiafiltration. Apart from these, there are general doctors for taking care of issues like hypertension. With 24*7 emergency services, Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital is always here for you.

Final words: Hypertension and kidney disease are closely associated. So, if you have hypertension have a check on your kidney health too. If you are facing minor health issues, book your consultation in Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital now.

Disclaimer

Though all attempts are made to provide correct information on the subject, inadvertent & typographical errors arising out of manual intervention cannot be ruled out. It is requested to bring any such discrepancies to the notice of the blogger for correction