Polycystic Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure has very close relations with polycystic kidney disease. High blood pressure is one of the most common symptoms and complications in the early stage of PKD and nearly all end stage PKD will develop higher than normal blood pressure and they will often have headache, dizziness.

Why PKD cause high blood pressure?

PKD is characterized by numerous fluid-filled sacs in the kidneys and both the size and number of the cysts will increase along with time. Enlarged cysts will oppress surrounding renal tissues and stimulate the kidneys to secrete more renin leading to renal hypertension.

High blood pressure is also one major risk factor for aggravating renal damages. Strict controlling of blood pressure and maintaining it at ideal and stable level can slow down the decline rate of kidney functions and reduce mortality.

Intracranial aneurysm is the most serious complication of PKD and it is often the cause of early death of PKD patients if not treated well. High blood pressure is one risk for worsening aneurysm and causing its rupture, so we can see it is very necessary and important to have timely and effective treatments for high blood pressure in PKD.

How to lower high blood pressure in PKD?

Medicines for treating high blood pressure in PKD are mainly ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and ARB (angiotensin receptor blockers).

If the blood pressure is hard to control with medicines, patients can take surgery to remove the large cysts.

Besides some herbs are good at controlling blood pressure such as Ganoderma lucidum which contains sterols and alkaloids. It is good for controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol and viral infections.

As for the diets, PKD patients with hypertension should have low-salt diets and avoid alcohol, tobacco, strong tea, coffee, chocolate and spicy foods. In daily life, some mild exercises such as walking, Tai chi, jogging can be done to help control blood pressure.