Ten Facts About High Blood Pressure and Chronic Kidney Disease
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in the United States and one of the most common problems that can seriously harm the kidneys. Severe high blood pressure can harm kidney function over a relatively short period of time. However, even mild forms of high blood pressure damage kidneys over several years. High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms in its early stages.
1. About 74 million Americans, or one out of three adults aged 20 and older, have high blood pressure. Only 78 percent are aware of their condition.
2. The top number in a blood pressure measurement is called the systolic pressure. This measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries when the heart is pumping. The lower number is called the diastolic pressure. This measures the force of the blood when the heart is between beats. Both numbers are important and need to be controlled.
3. High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure of 140 or higher or diastolic pressure of 90 or higher. However, people who have blood pressures from 120/80 to 139/89 may be at increased risk for developing high blood pressure and should follow healthy lifestyle modifications such as losing excess weight and exercising regularly. High blood pressure should not be diagnosed on the basis of a single reading. Initial elevated readings should be confirmed on at least two follow-up visits. In people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, blood pressure over 130/80 is considered high.
4. In 90 to 95 percent of the cases, no specific cause is identified for high blood pressure. However, certain individuals have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure: older persons, people with a family history of high blood pressure, people who are overweight, and some population groups including African Americans.
5. Elevated blood pressure usually causes no symptoms. For this reason, it is important to have regular checkups to detect high blood pressure. If high blood pressure is diagnosed, it is equally important to follow the doctor's advice and take medications exactly as prescribed.
6. High blood pressure can affect anyone at any age. Even children can have high blood pressure, although it is less common. Regular high blood pressure checkups should begin in childhood and continue throughout life.
7. High blood pressure and chronic kidney disease are closely related. High blood pressure causes more than 30,000 cases of kidney failure each year. It is second only to diabetes as the leading cause of end stage kidney disease – which requires treatment with an artificial kidney (dialyzer) or kidney transplantation to stay alive.
8. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk for heart attacks and stroke. When high blood pressure is controlled, the threat of these complications is greatly reduced.
9. The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the U.S. is among the highest in the world. More than 40 percent of African Americans are believed to have high blood pressure. It is not known for sure why African Americans are more prone to develop high blood pressure.
10. The death rates per 100,000 population from high blood pressure are 15.6 for white males, 51.1 for black males, 14.3 for white females and 37.7 for black females.
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For more information on kidneys and kidney disease, visit www.kidney.org
Sources of Facts and Statistics:
American Heart Association, High Blood Pressure Statistics fact sheet (www.americanheart.org)
“High Blood Pressure and Your Kidneys” from the National Kidney Foundation
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearing House (NKUDIC). High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/highblood/
December, 2009
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