High Blood Pressure & Your Kidneys

The complications of high blood pressure can be quite serious. You know that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, but did you know that it could also cause kidney damage?

If you already have kidney disease, maintaining healthy control of your blood pressure is essential when it comes to protecting your kidneys. Find out from your doctor what your “target” blood pressure is. Monitor your blood pressure regularly, as recommended by your doctor. Many pharmacies have self-serve blood-pressure monitors or sell blood-pressure cuffs that you can use easily at home.

If you find that your blood pressure is higher than it should be, speak to your doctor. You can also try these strategies to help lower your blood pressure.

• Exercise regularly

• Follow a low-fat, low-salt diet (such as the “DASH” diet)

• Keep a healthy body weight

• Reduce the amount of alcohol that you drink

• Try to quit smoking

• Ward off kidney stones