Renal Dysfunction Complicating Treatment of Hypertension

According to the National Kidney Foundation, renal dysfunction causes hypertension and hypertension causes renal dysfunction. Treating hypertension is complicated by the role that the renal organs play. Damaged or failing kidneys hamper and even prevent your high blood pressure from being lowered.

Renal Dysfunction & Hypertension

• Have your blood tested to be sure that your kidneys are excreting the waste products in your blood effectively. The test shows if there are elevated levels of blood urea, uric acid and creatinine. When these levels are high, you're suffering from renal dysfunction (kidney disease). Dysfunctional kidneys cause high blood pressure. Hypertension cannot be treated without respect to your renal dysfunction.

  High blood pressure damages the tiny blood vessel of the kidneys. These blood vessels are an integral part of what the kidneys do, filter waste. This means that treating hypertension is complicated by a deteriorating renal condition because the weakened kidneys also elevate hypertension. This combination can raise blood pressure to alarming rates further affecting the kidneys.

Approach

• Because of the circular relationship between blood pressure and renal function, the two diseases are treated in tandem to break the vicious cycle. Hypertension will not respond to treatment if the kidneys are neglected and likewise the kidneys will not improve if only your renal dysfunction is treated.

Medication

• Your doctor will prescribe medicines that treat hypertension along with drugs and vitamins that protect the kidneys. If you are suffering from hypertension, you will need to do is lower your blood pressure and keep it steady. There are a few medications that can help you to do this. ACE inhibitor and Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) drugs will assist you in lowering your blood pressure and this will protect your kidneys from sustaining any more damage.

ACE

• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a category of drugs for high blood pressure. These medicines enlarge your blood vessels, allowing your heart to pump more blood easily. This lowers your blood pressure; assisting the kidneys and protecting them from the effects of high blood pressure.

ARBs

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) decrease chemicals which narrow the vessels. This means that the blood can flow through your veins more freely, lowering your blow pressure. ARBs are given to patients who react badly to the ACE inhibitors.