Kidney disease and high blood pressure
"Controlling blood pressure is the best way to protect your kidneys and your heart."
DR. DANIEL VILLA HURTADO
SPECIALIST. NEPHROLOGY DEPARTMENT
How kidney disease and high blood pressure are related
High blood pressure is one of the main causes and consequences of kidney disease. When blood pressure remains elevated over time, it damages the kidney’s blood vessels, impairs its filtering function, and can accelerate the onset of kidney failure. At the same time, certain kidney conditions—such as renal artery stenosis or some forms of glomerulonephritis—can raise blood pressure (secondary hypertension).
Diagnosis and follow-up involve repeated blood pressure measurements (ideally self-monitoring at home or through ambulatory monitoring), blood and urine tests to assess kidney function and damage, and imaging studies such as Doppler ultrasound to evaluate renal blood flow.
In clinical practice, hypertension is usually diagnosed when readings reach 140/90 mmHg or higher. However, blood pressure targets are often stricter in people with kidney disease (typically aiming for <130/80 mmHg, when feasible and safe), since good blood pressure control helps protect the kidneys and lowers cardiovascular risk.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure may cause no symptoms and be discovered accidentally during a routine check-up.
When symptoms do appear, the most common ones include:
- Frequent or severe headaches.
- Spontaneous nosebleeds.
- Restlessness, nervousness, or difficulty concentrating.
- Palpitations, tremors, or a feeling of coldness or anxiety.
If these symptoms are accompanied by very high blood pressure readings, it may indicate a hypertensive crisis, which requires immediate medical attention.
If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, or confusion, seek emergency care right away.
What are the causes of high blood pressure?
There are two main types of high blood pressure, depending on its cause:
- Essential or primary hypertension: accounts for about 90% to 95% of all cases. Its exact cause is unknown, although it usually appears after the age of 50 and is associated with genetic and family factors. Other contributing factors include overweight, excess salt intake, stress, and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Secondary hypertension: results from an identifiable cause and may improve or resolve when the underlying condition is treated. Some of the most common causes include:
- Renovascular disease: a reduction in blood flow to the kidney that triggers a reflex increase in blood pressure.
- Coarctation of the aorta: a congenital malformation that narrows the body’s main artery (the aorta), making it harder for blood to flow.
- Kidney or endocrine disorders: such as Cushing’s syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, or thyroid abnormalities.
What is the prognosis of this disease?
High blood pressure can cause short- and long-term damage.
Acute complications (sudden onset):
- A sudden rise in blood pressure with symptoms such as vision changes, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, or neurological signs (weakness on one side of the body, confusion, difficulty speaking).
- It is considered a hypertensive crisis when high readings are accompanied by symptoms or acute organ damage; it requires immediate medical attention.
- If blood pressure is very high but without symptoms, it is usually not a crisis; treatment should be adjusted with your doctor.
Chronic complications (progressive over time):
- Cardiac: thickening of the left ventricle and stiffening of the heart, which promote heart failure and ischemic heart disease.
- Renal: damage to the renal arteries with progressive loss of function and proteinuria, indicating kidney injury.
- Neurological: increased risk of ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage; over time, it may contribute to vascular dementia.
- Vascular and ocular: circulation problems (for example, in the intestines and limbs) and hypertensive retinopathy affecting vision.
Do you usually have high blood pressure?
Proper blood pressure control is key to preventing these complications.
Where do we treat it?
IN NAVARRA AND MADRID
The Nephrology Service
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Nephrology Service of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra has more than five decades of experience, both in the diagnosis and treatment of all kidney pathologies and in the transplant of this organ.
Our specialists have completed their training in centers of national and international reference.
We have the best facilities in the Dialysis Unit in order to offer the highest quality care to our patients.
Why at the Clinica?
- National reference in kidney transplantation, pioneer in living donor kidney transplantation.
- Specialized nursing for the care and follow-up of our patients.
- Cardiovascular and renal damage prevention program.
Our team of professionals
Nephrology specialists with extensive experience in managing high blood pressure
