Caring for Your Kidneys
Leading Causes of Kidney Failure
In the United States the two leading causes of kidney failure are Type 2 diabetes, (also called adult onset diabetes), and high blood pressure, (hypertension). When these two diseases are controlled by treatment, the associated kidney disease can often be prevented or slowed down.
Hypertension
In 2017, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association published new guidelines for hypertension management and defined normal blood pressure as below 120/80. Elevated blood pressurehigh hypertension as a blood pressure at or above 130/80. Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a blood pressure at or above 140/90.
Blood Pressure Categories
Normal Blood Pressure (systolic/diastolic)
Normal <120/<80
Elevated 120-129/<80
Hypertension
Stage 1 130-139/80-89
Stage 2 ≥140 or ≥90 mm Hg
What does diabetes do to the kidneys?
With diabetes, the small blood vessels in the body are injured. When the blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, your kidneys cannot clean your blood properly. Your body will retain more water and that will in turn cause hypertension.
What You Can Do
If you have high blood pressure, you’re at risk for chronic kidney disease, a serious condition that can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and death. The good news is that you can help protect your kidneys by managing high blood pressure with these 6 healthy lifestyle habits.
Know Your GFR
GFR, or Glomerular Filtration Rate, is a number that approximates the percentage of kidney function you have. Your GFR is a function of your serum creatinine, age, gender, and race.