Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem affecting more than 50 million people and millions of others are at increased risk. The two main causes of CKD are high blood pressure and diabetes. Increased blood pressure causes CKD and CKD causes increased blood pressure. More than half of people with CKD have high blood pressure. Taking medications to treat high blood pressure will not only help you treat your blood pressure but will also slow down your progression of kidney disease.
ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
All types of blood pressure medications are shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure in CKD. However it often takes more than one to do the job. According to the Clinical Practice Guidelines on Hypertension and Antihypertensive Agents in Chronic Kidney Disease, issued by the National Kidney Foundation in 2005, if you have kidney disease, your target blood pressure should be below 130/80 mm Hg. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) can lower blood pressure effectively. However studies have also shown that these drugs not only lower blood pressure but can help to protect your kidney function and lower your risk for heart disease. That's key for kidney disease because once you have it, you can't go back to not having kidney disease. Your only choice is to prevent your kidneys from deteriorating further.
Diuretics
Diuretics or as they are sometimes called, water pills, have also proven to be very effective in treating high blood pressure. They reduce water buildup in the body so you don't feel so bloated. They work in conjunction with ACE inhibitors and ARBs and other blood pressure medications.
Other Medications
Other medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, can also help reach your treatment goals. These are medications used if other medications fail to get you to your blood pressure goal of less than 130/80. In 2007, the FDA approved a new class of medications called direct renin inhibitors for lowering blood pressure. This type of medication may also protect the kidney. More data and more clinical trials are needed to verify this.
When taking your medications, follow exactly the instructions given to you by your doctor. If you experience side effects, tell your doctor immediately. He may lower your dose or switch you to another medication to make sure you get the full benefit. Never stop taking any of your medications on your own without letting your doctor know first. Even though you are feeling okay, uncontrolled high blood pressure could still damage vital organs like the heart and kidneys.
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