Hypertension or blood pressure affects up to 50 million people in the United States. The target blood pressure for patients with renal disease and diabetes is 130/80 mm Hg or less. The exact cause of hypertension is unknown, but it is strongly associated with the following: renal disease, diabetes, family history, race, obesity, diet, birth control pills, age and gender. Heart attacks and strokes are also caused by hypertension.
Renal Disease
According to guidelines on hypertension in 2005 by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), hypertension is the second greatest cause of renal disease after diabetes. Approximately 50 to 75 percent of individuals with mid to late stages of renal disease have hypertension. Normal functioning kidneys maintain a normal blood pressure. Consistent high blood pressure damages blood vessels in the kidneys. This causes hypertension. Evidence shows appropriate management of hypertension can slow down the loss of kidney function.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the leading cause of renal disease, but it also causes hypertension. Most people with diabetes and renal disease have hypertension, according to the NKF. High circulating glucose levels in the blood are caused by diabetes. Consistent high glucose levels damages blood vessels in the kidneys, causing them to ill function. This causes hypertension.
Family History
Hypertension tends to run in families. A family history of hypertension means you have someone in your family (a blood relative such as a mother, father, sister, or brother) who has or had hypertension before the age of 60. The more family members you have with hypertension before the age of 60, the stronger the family history of hypertension.
Race
Race plays a role in the development of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in African Americans is higher than other races. Hypertension in African Americans often develops earlier than in Caucasians. Serious complications, such as stroke and heart attack, also are more common in African Americans.
Obesity
People who are obese have a greater chance of developing hypertension. The association between obesity and hypertension is well-recognized. Research suggests that obesity causes the kidneys to excessively filter the blood. The filtering units in the kidney become overworked and damaged, causing kidney function loss. When the kidneys don't work properly this causes hypertension. In patients with established CKD, obesity accelerates progression of CKD.
Diet
Too much salt, fast food and packaged foods cause hypertension. Fast food and packaged foods usually contain a lot of salt. Normal functioning kidneys excrete salt in the body. When the kidneys are not working properly, the body retains salt. This causes hypertension.
Excessive alcohol consumption increases blood pressure.
Medication for Birth Control
According to the American Heart Association, researchers have found that birth control pills increase blood pressure in some women. Women, who are obese, have had high blood pressure during pregnancy, have a family history of high blood pressure, or who have mild kidney disease are more at risk. Smokers who take medication for birth control are considered a high risk for hypertension.
Age and Gender
The tendency to develop hypertension increases with age. According to the American Heart Association, men up to 45 years old are more likely to have hypertension in comparison to women. After 55, more women than men have high blood pressure.
References
- Annals of Internal Medicine: Hypertension
- National Kidney Foundation: Guidelines on Hypertension and Antihypertensive Agents in Chronic Kidney Disease
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Family history of hypertension
- Mayo Clinic: Hypertension
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Obesity and Hypertension
