High blood pressure (hypertension) is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States. People who have high blood pressure, especially those with diabetes, are at higher risk for kidney disease

Almost 1 in 2 U.S. adults or about 108 million people have high blood pressure or hypertension. More than 1 in 7 U.S. adults or about 37 million people may have chronic kidney disease (CKD).

What is high blood pressure or Hypertension –

Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps out blood. If this pressure becomes too high, then you have high blood pressure or hypertension.

What is the role of kidneys and what they do –

The role of the kidney is to filter blood removing wastes and extra water to make urine. Urine flows to the bladder through a pair of thin tubes called ureters from each kidney. The urinary tract system includes kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

How are they linked-

High blood pressure can injure the blood vessels and filters in the kidney, which makes it difficult to remove waste from the body. End-stage renal disease is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Once a person is diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, dialysis (which is a process of blood-cleansing) or kidney transplantation is necessary.

Certain groups at higher risk for kidney disease due to High Blood Pressure-

Kidney disease caused by high blood pressure has an effect on every group and race. However, certain groups are at higher risk, which includes:

• African-Americans
• Hispanic-Americans
• Native Americans
• People who have an unhealthy lifestyle
• Older people
• People who have diabetes
• People with a family history of high blood pressure and kidney disease

Things which can help to keep high blood pressure under control-

Having a healthy lifestyle and making changes in daily habit can help keep high blood pressure under control-

• Following a healthy diet plan: Eating fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods.
• Regularly Exercising: Involving in some moderate activity at least 30 minutes a day, such as walking (consult your healthcare provider before starting with any kind of exercise program).
• Keeping your weight under control: Check with your healthcare provider for a weight-loss program, if needed.
• Reducing sodium (salt) in diet: On packaged foods read nutrition labels to see how much sodium is in one serving.