Treatment For High Blood Pressure In Polycystic Kidney Disease

The main symptoms of polycystic kidney disease are multiple renal cysts, pains in the back, abdomen and flank, blood in urine, high blood pressure and decline of kidney functions.

High blood pressure is one of the most common signs of polycystic kidney disease. In the early stage of PKD when renal functions are still normal, about half patients will have elevated blood pressure (higher than 140/90mmHg). When PKD progresses into end stage renal disease, nearly 100% patients will have suffer from high blood pressure.

It is very important to have early and effective treatment for lowering high blood pressure for PKD patients. Strict control of high blood pressure can slow down decline rate of kidney functions, reduce mortality and improve prognosis of PKD.

The ideal blood pressure for PKD patients is 130/80mmHg. It can be achieved through the following measures.

1. Have good rest, low-salt diets, avoid tobacco, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic drinks; in the latter stage have low-protein diets.

2. Drugs such as ACEI, ARB, calcium channel blockers or the combination of several drugs.

3. If high blood pressure can not be controlled by drugs, surgeries can be considered including cyst decortication, renal artery embolization, nephrectomy, etc.

4. Chinese medicines. Some Chinese herbal medicines can help lower high blood pressure such as hawthorn, gingko biloba, cinnamon, celery, ginger, garlic, etc. Chinese medicines can help promote blood circulation and strengthen heart functions so as to help lower blood pressure.

5. Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy. It is an external application of Chinese medicines. It can lower high blood pressure by shrinking renal cysts and promoting blood circulation.

Treating high blood pressure is very important for PKD patients. It can help slow down illness progression of PKD, reduce the risk of heart problem and other complications. One relatively serious complication of PKD is aneurysm which is often the cause of early death for PKD patients. Treating high blood pressure and keep it within stable level can reduce the risk of aneurysm and aneurysm rupture. Treating high blood pressure can also help relieve other symptoms of PKD such as swelling, headache, proteinuria, hematuria, etc.