High blood pressure can kill your kidneys!

High blood pressure can kill your kidneys!

BY DANIELLE BLEWETT, HEALTH REPORTER
12/03/2009 5:14:00 PM

HIGH blood pressure could kill your kidneys, did you know that? Today is World Kidney Day and the message is clear. Eighty per cent of people with high blood pressure are at risk of kidney disease.
Head of the Launceston General Hospital's renal unit, Rose Mace, said people must persist with their doctors.

If your blood pressure is higher than 120 over 70 to 130 over 80 ``you want to get it down and keep it down'' Ms Mace said.

``If weight reduction doesn't work, then a simple tablet once a day in the longer term will,'' she said.

``It's that simple, persist with your doctor and work to keep your blood pressure down.''

Kidney Health Australia chief executive officer Anne Wilson said that excess body weight and obesity accounts for a quarter of blood pressure in men and women.

``Our modern lifestyle and pressure of work has placed time constraints on many people to relax, have time out for exercise or to consider the impact of fast food diets which adds obesity issues to the prevention and treatment of kidney disease,'' Ms Wilson said.

High blood pressure is an important risk factor in kidney disease patients.

``When people suffer from high blood pressure it puts more stress on blood vessels throughout the body, including the kidneys,'' Ms Wilson said.

``When this happens the kidneys cannot filter wastes from the blood properly. Achieving the recommended blood pressure goals can reduce the risk of needing dialysis or experiencing a heart attack or stroke.''

http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/health/high-blood-pressure-can-kill-your-kidneys/1457841.aspx