Kidney & High Blood Pressure Treatment
Explaining High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
High blood pressure, also known as “hypertension,” is a dangerous
medical condition that can cause significant repercussions. Blood pressure
means the force with which blood pushes against blood vessel walls as
the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure is an increase in the force
of this pressure. Various factors can lead to high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure & Kidney Function
How does hypertension affect kidney function? Your kidneys are a set of
two fist-sized organs found below your rib cage on either side of the
spine. These organs filter blood and produce urine. Urine is then moved
from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters.
High blood pressure can affect blood vessels in the kidneys over time,
impairing their function. In fact, hypertension is the second highest
cause of kidney failure among patients in the United States. High blood
flow pressure causes the blood vessels to distend, which can lead to scarring
and weakening of the blood vessels over time. This can impair the kidneys’
ability to take waste and excess fluid out of the body. As a result, this
can create a vicious cycle, where excess fluid causes blood pressure to
raise even higher.
Diagnosing Kidney Disease / High Blood Pressure
Your doctor can diagnose high blood pressure after conducting several blood
pressure tests—typically over a more extended period of time to
show a consistent problem over time. Kidney disease is typically diagnosed
using tests such as urine and blood tests.
Some signs of kidney disease may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Dry skin
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty focusing / concentrating
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Darker skin
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle cramps
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Increased urination / decreased urination
- Itching / numbness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Headaches
Meet Our Providers
Meadville Medical Center Provider
Contact us at (814) 333-3945.