High blood pressure and kidney disease are closely connected. High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in the United States, and kidney disease can also make blood pressure rise. Keeping your blood pressure under control is one of the most important things you can do to protect your kidneys.
Why blood pressure matters
Over time, high blood pressure damages the blood vessels in the kidneys, so they cannot filter waste and fluid as well. Fluid then builds up, which raises blood pressure even more. Breaking this cycle slows kidney damage and lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Know your target
Your blood pressure goal depends on your health, age, and other conditions. Many people with kidney disease are advised to keep blood pressure below 130/80, and some benefit from a lower goal. Ask Dr. Salim what your target should be.
How to check your blood pressure at home
Home readings often give a truer picture than a single reading at the office.
- Use an automatic, validated upper-arm cuff that fits your arm.
- Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for 30 minutes before checking.
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and your arm resting at heart level.
- Place the cuff on bare skin and do not talk during the reading.
- Take two readings, one minute apart, in the morning and the evening.
- Write down the results, or use a cuff that saves them, and bring them to your visits.
Ways to lower blood pressure
- Eat less sodium. See Kidney-friendly eating for tips.
- Stay active. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as walking, if your doctor says it is safe.
- Keep a healthy weight, limit alcohol, and do not smoke.
- Sleep well. Loud snoring or stopping breathing during sleep can be signs of sleep apnea, which can raise blood pressure.
- Take your medicines every day, even when you feel well. Some blood pressure medicines also protect the kidneys.
Hard-to-control blood pressure
If your blood pressure stays high even on several medicines, a kidney specialist can look for causes such as narrowing of the kidney arteries (renovascular hypertension) or hormone problems, and adjust your treatment.
Questions to ask at your visit
- What should my blood pressure goal be?
- How often should I check my blood pressure at home?
- Do my medicines protect my kidneys?
- Could something else be causing my high blood pressure?
This guide is general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with Dr. Salim or your care team about your own situation. Informed by patient materials from the National Kidney Foundation; learn more at kidney.org.