One article explains! The complex relationship between hypertension and kidney disease

1. Damage to glomeruli caused by elevated blood pressure

Hypertension can increase the pressure in the glomerulus, which can damage the glomerular filtration function. Long-term high pressure can cause the glomerulus to gradually harden and lose its normal filtration function.

The glomerulus is an important structure for filtering and excreting waste in the kidneys. Damage to the glomerulus can lead to proteinuria, which is one of the early signs of kidney disease.

2. Affects kidney blood vessels

Hypertension can cause spasms and atherosclerosis in the small arteries of the kidneys, causing thickening of the blood vessel walls and narrowing of the lumen, which reduces the blood supply to the kidneys.

Renal ischemia and hypoxia will further aggravate kidney damage and lead to a gradual decline in renal function.

3. Activate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

Hypertension can activate the RAAS system, leading to vasoconstriction and water and sodium retention, increasing the burden on the kidneys.

Long-term activation of the RAAS system promotes renal fibrosis and accelerates the progression of renal disease.

4. Increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys

Hypertensive patients often have metabolic disorders, such as abnormal blood sugar and blood lipids, etc. These metabolic problems will act together on the kidneys and aggravate kidney damage.

Long-term high blood pressure can also affect the kidney's excretion function of drugs and toxins, causing harmful substances to accumulate in the body and further damage the kidneys.

In summary, high blood pressure and kidney disease affect each other, forming a vicious cycle. Controlling blood pressure is essential to protecting kidney health.