The kidneys and the blood circulation system depend on each other to stay in good health. The kidneys require many blood vessels to filter waste from the blood. High blood pressure can affect kidney function.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most commonTrusted Source causes of kidney failure in the United States.

Hypertension can cause the arteries around the kidneys to become narrow, weak, or hard. This affects the blood supply to the kidneys and may mean they receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients. Damaged kidney arteries can prevent the kidneys’ filtering units, called nephrons, from functioning properly.

Also, kidney damage can raise a person’s blood pressure due to fluid buildup or due to the production of hormones that further increase blood pressure.

Keep reading to learn more about the link between hypertension and kidney disease.

Blood pressure is the force that flowing blood places on the walls of the arteries as it travels from the heart to all the body’s tissues and organs.

It is typical for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. However, blood pressure that is consistently high can have serious health consequences. High blood pressure is also known as hypertension.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteTrusted Source, a person has stage 1 hypertension if their systolic blood pressure is 130 to 139 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or their diastolic pressure is 80 to 89 mm Hg. High blood pressure reaches stage 2 when the systolic pressure is 140 mm Hg or higher or the diastolic pressure is 90 mm Hg or higher.

How does high blood pressure affect the body?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, people with hypertension may be at greater risk of heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States.

Many people do not know they have hypertension, as the condition does not always cause obvious symptoms. Factors that can increase the riskTrusted Source of developing high blood pressure include:

Hypertension might not be obvious until it causesTrusted Source other health problems. For example, it damages the arteries and makes them less stretchy, which can decrease blood and oxygen flow to the heart. This can lead toTrusted Source:

Hypertension may also affect the brain by causing a stroke if arteries supplying the brain become blocked or burst. Additionally, research has linked cognitive decline and dementia to hypertension.

People with hypertension are at higher riskTrusted Source of developing kidney disease. However, multiple factors contribute to the development of kidney disease, and hypertension is just one factor.

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The kidneys are two small organs that act as the body’s filtration system. They play an important roleTrusted Source in controlling blood pressure.

They also perform several other functions that keep the body in good health, includingTrusted Source:

  • removing toxins and waste
  • removing excess water and forming urine
  • stimulating red blood cell production
  • maintaining bone health
  • regulating blood chemicals

According to the CDC, from 2021 to 2023, hypertension affected 47.7% of adultsTrusted Source in the United States. Of those people, about 20% were able to keep their blood pressure within a healthy range (less than 130/80 mm Hg).

Almost half of U.S. adults (119.9 million) have hypertension, but only 1 in 4 are able to manage the condition adequately.

When it comes to kidney disease, the CDC reports that chronic kidney disease affects more than 1 in 7Trusted Source, or 35.5 million, U.S. adults. However, 90% of adults with chronic kidney disease do not know they have it.

High blood pressure and the kidneys

In people with hypertension, the increased pressure from blood flow leads toTrusted Source narrowing of blood vessels throughout the body. This damages the blood vessels, making it difficult for the kidneys to perform their regulatory function.

Filtering units within the kidneys, called nephronsTrusted Source, do not receive enough oxygen or nutrients to function. As a result, the kidneys cannot effectively remove all the toxins, waste, and extra fluid in the urine.

Excess fluid and waste that build up in the blood vessels can further increase a person’s blood pressure, creating a cycle.

As damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys progresses, it can lead to kidney disease and, ultimately, kidney failure.

Healthy kidneys also respond to the hormone aldosteroneTrusted Source, which helps regulate blood pressure. Insufficient kidney function can further elevate blood pressure and make it difficult for the body to get high blood pressure under control.

Is it possible to reverse kidney damage?

Doctors may use blood and urine tests to determine whether a person’s kidneys are functioning properly.

According to the CDCTrusted Source, a person may not be able to reverse kidney damage, but they can take certain measures to slow it down.

Whether or not hypertension was the initial cause of kidney disease, increased pressure in the kidneys’ blood vessels will worsen the disease. Therefore, it is important for people with kidney disease to find ways to manage their blood pressure.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Trusted Source, people in the early stages of kidney disease may experience edema (swelling) in their legs, feet, or ankles. In some cases, swelling of the hands or face may also occur.

Symptoms of kidney disease

Symptoms of advanced kidney disease may include:

People with hypertension can use certain methods to manage their blood pressure. They may need to take medication and make some lifestyle changesTrusted Source.

Here are some steps a person might take:

  • Take any medication their doctor prescribes: These might include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, medications that lower blood pressure and may help slow down kidney disease progression.
  • Exercise regularly: It may be helpful to cycle, swim, walk briskly, or wheel in a wheelchair for at least 2.5 hours per week.
  • Lose weight if needed: According to the NIDDK, it may be beneficial for people who are overweight or have obesity to reduce their weight by 7% to 10%Trusted Source during the first year of treatment for high blood pressure. This can also lower their chances of developing health problems related to high blood pressure.
  • Manage or reduce stress, if possible: Techniques that may help with managing stress include exercising, doing yoga, practicing tai chi, listening to music, and meditating.
  • Limit their salt intake: Research from 2022 found that limiting salt consumption could help prevent the progression of kidney damage.
  • Avoid or quit smoking, if applicable: Smoking damages the blood vessels, increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, and can worsen any existing health problems.

Consistently high blood pressure damages the blood vessels, including those in the kidneys. As a result, people with hypertension have a greater risk of developing kidney disease. People with either of these conditions may not notice any symptoms in the early stages.

Multiple factors contribute to kidney disease. While hypertension is a risk factor, the blood vessel damage it can cause is not the only process that causes kidney disease.

Even if hypertension is not the original cause of kidney disease, it can worsen the condition. While it is not possible to reverse kidney damage, people may be able to slow down the progression of the disease through medications and lifestyle changes.