High blood pressure does more than merely raise your chance of a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. It can have a significant impact on your kidney health. The condition can harm your kidneys, reducing their capacity to filter waste and toxins and regulate the quantity of fluids, hormones, salt, and other minerals in your blood. Hypertension can damage the blood arteries and kidney filters, making waste disposal more difficult.
According to research, high blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). About one in four people with kidney failure have it because of high blood pressure.
Considering this, it becomes important to keep your kidneys healthy.
Read on to learn more about the two and how to protect your kidneys from high blood pressure.
How High Blood Pressure Causes Kidney Damage?
Your heart, the circulatory system’s central organ, continually pumps blood via your blood arteries. Good blood flow is required for good kidney function; even modest blood flow issues can impair kidney function and raise your risk of major health problems. High blood pressure can damage your kidneys and contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Although a certain amount of power is required to drive blood through the blood arteries, the pressure inside the vessels can occasionally become excessive. High blood pressure can damage the blood arteries that supply the kidneys, causing them to harden and constrict.
As a result, your kidneys receive less blood, making it harder for them to operate effectively. Small blood veins within the kidneys that filter blood may also be damaged.
Some of the common symptoms of kidney damage from high blood pressure include:
- Persistent or worsening proteinuria
- Blood in the urine
- Swelling, particularly in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Fatigue, weakness, or decreased energy levels
- Elevated serum creatinine levels
How to Prevent the Progression of Kidney Disease from High Blood Pressure?
Managing high blood pressure and protecting the kidneys from damage is essential. Preventing the advancement of kidney disease caused by high blood pressure requires good blood pressure management and lifestyle modifications that promote kidney health.
Here are some preventative ways to keep your kidneys healthy in case you have high blood pressure:
- Control and maintaining your blood pressure in the recommended target range is essential for preventing kidney damage. Aim for a blood pressure reading below 130/80 mmHg.
- Maintain a balanced and healthy diet reduced in salt, saturated fats, and processed foods. Focus on entire grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Regular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce blood pressure, and enhance cardiovascular health.
- Limit your alcohol consumption, as excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and contribute to kidney damage.
- Smoking is a major risk factor for high blood pressure and renal damage, so quitting smoking can lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and minimise your risk of kidney disease.
- Excess body weight, particularly abdominal obesity, has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure and renal disease; therefore, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight requires a mix of a balanced diet and frequent exercise.
- Practice stress-reduction exercises such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or relaxation techniques to help manage stress and increase your overall well-being, as excessive stress can lead to high blood pressure and poor kidney function.
Alternative Treatments or Therapies That Can Help Protect the Kidneys from High Blood Pressure-Related Damage
There are various alternative treatments you can opt for to protect your kidneys from high blood pressure-related damage. It includes:
- Take Herbal Supplements- Some herbal supplements, like hibiscus, garlic, turmeric, etc., may benefit kidney health and blood pressure management.
- Dietary Supplements- You can take certain dietary supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to benefit kidney health and regulate blood pressure.
- Acupuncture Treatment – You can choose the acupuncture procedure. This traditional Chinese medical treatment involves inserting small needles into particular places on the body to help lower blood pressure and stress, which may assist kidney function.
- Hydrotherapy- You can choose hydrotherapy, which uses water for therapeutic purposes and may improve your blood pressure and renal function.
- Meditation Practices- You may practise meditations such as breath awareness meditation, body scan meditation or mukti yoga meditation which incorporates breathwork and mindfulness for spiritual liberation and inner peace daily to help decrease stress, lower blood pressure, and increase general well-being, perhaps benefiting kidney health.
Key Takeaways
High blood pressure can negatively impact your kidneys, so you must follow various steps to prevent it. You can incorporate various preventive measures into your daily life to maintain your blood pressure, reduce the risk of kidney disease progression, and maintain optimal kidney health. Discuss with your healthcare provider to navigate the use of preventive measures and treatment and determine the most appropriate approach for maintaining your kidney health in high blood pressure.
Protect Your Kidneys from High Blood Pressure with Mukti Yoga Classes at Nephrocare India Hospital
Are you experiencing kidney issues due to high blood pressure and seeking effective treatment? If so, consider visiting Nephrocare India Hospital in Kolkata. Our team of experienced nephrologists, coupled with a patient-centric approach, ensures comprehensive care for various kidney-related concerns. With our Mukti Yoga classes, your treatment will be steady and effective. Contact us to discover how Mukti Yoga can complement your treatment journey.