Hypertension - Kidney Failure

Kidney failure can be divided into acute renal failure and chronic renal failure. Acute renal failure is caused by inadequate supply of blood, obstruction or toxicities while chronic renal failure is a pathological state in which part or all kidney functions are lost due to various chronic kidney diseases.

Kidney failure can cause secondary hypertension. 70% to 90% end stage renal disease patients will have varying degrees’ hypertension before dialysis. In some cases the blood pressure can return to normal after dialysis while the blood pressure is poorly controlled in most patients.

The reason of hypertension in kidney failure: the damages of the renal intrinsic cells cause increased secretion of renin and aldosterone resulting in increase of blood pressure. In addition, the retention of water and sodium due to declined renal functions will also increase blood pressure. What is more, the renal damages will cause declined secretion of kallikrein and prostaglandin and the decrease of these diastolic materials is also an important factor of hypertension.

In the early stage of renal failure, there is usually no obvious symptom, therefore an early diagnosis is very important in case of hypertension, hematuria and other signs. What is more, long term high blood pressure without proper measures will in turn speed up glomerular sclerosis and renal fibrosis. The early the disease is diagnosed and treated, the less damages will be caused and renal failure can be prevented.