Can high blood pressure harm your kidneys? Here's what an expert says

Hypertension, often known as high blood pressure, can have a substantial impact on an individual's overall health. It is a worldwide disorder that affects millions of people and is one of the primary causes of chronic renal disease. The kidneys are essential organs that filter waste products and excess fluid from the body. Hypertension can harm the fragile blood arteries in the kidneys, impairing their ability to function and causing a variety of serious health issues.

Dr. Ganesh Mhetras, Consultant-Nephrologist, Manipal Hospital- Kharadi, Pune says, “This progressive condition occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high putting a strain on the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to become stiff and narrow. High blood pressure can cause kidney injury in a variety of ways. renal damage is one of the most prevalent complications of hypertension, and it can lead to chronic renal disease and, in extreme cases, kidney failure.”

“The kidneys are composed of microscopic blood arteries known as nephrons, which filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Hypertension can damage these blood arteries over time, limiting the kidneys' ability to function correctly. This can produce an accumulation of waste products in the blood, causing severe damage to the kidneys and other organs,” he adds.

Protein in the urine is one of the first symptoms of kidney damage induced by hypertension. This is due to renal blood vessel injury, which permits protein to escape into the urine. As kidney impairment worsens, the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste materials and excess fluid from the blood, resulting in a toxic accumulation in the body.

According to Dr. Mhetras, “Lifestyle plays a major role in managing hypertension and reducing the risk of damaging the kidneys. The first step is to control blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medication. This can help to reduce the strain on the blood vessels in the kidneys, preventing further damage.”
Other lifestyle changes that can help to prevent hypertension from damaging the kidneys include:
Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt, fat, and cholesterol
Maintaining a healthy weight
Engaging in regular physical activity
Limiting alcohol consumption
Quitting smoking

“Leading a healthy lifestyle prevents high blood pressure problems. People with hypertension should also have regular check-ups with their doctor to monitor their blood pressure and kidney function. If kidney damage is detected, early treatment can help to slow or even stop the progression of the disease,” says Dr. Mhetras.