What is hypertension?
Blood pressure is the pressure produced by blood as it pumps through our arteries and veins. Hypertension is when blood pressure is very high, meaning the heart is working too hard to pump blood to your body.1
Hypertension affects 3 out of 10 people in our country, around 14 million people, according to data from the Spanish Society of Hypertension. The most frequent cases occur in men over 55 and women over 65. Approximately 26% of these patients suffer from some form of kidney disease.2
Why does it affect kidney health?
As mentioned earlier, high blood pressure causes the heart to work harder, which can damage blood vessels throughout the body over time. Our kidneys also contain blood vessels, and if these are damaged, the kidneys may stop removing waste, leading to an excess of fluid throughout the body. This excess fluid will further increase blood pressure, creating a dangerous cycle that should be avoided. 3
How to prevent it?
To help maintain good kidney health and optimal blood pressure levels, it is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle, stay active, and control overweight. You can find more guidelines to help keep your kidneys healthy in the following link.
References:
1*American Kidney Fund, http://www.kidneyfund.org/en-espanol/enfermedad-de-los-rinones/causas-y-factores-de-riesgo/presion-arterial-alta.html
2*Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in hypertensive patients followed in Spanish health centers and degree of blood pressure control (DISEHTAE study), LuisVara-GonzálezaEnriqueMartín RioboóbTomásUreña FernándezcAntoniDalfó BaquédIsabelFlor BecerraeVicenteLópez Fernándezf, https://doi.org/10.1157/13120016
3* National Institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney stones,https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/informacion-de-la-salud/enfermedades-rinones/presion-arterial-insuficiencia-renal
