Most patients are aware that High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) can lead to
Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke. But the relationship between High Blood
Pressure and Polycystic Kidney Disease is not taken seriously by many PKD
patients.
High Blood Pressure is a very common complication of Polycystic Kidney
Disease
High Blood Pressure is the primary symptom of Polycystic Kidney Disease in
most cases. The severer the kidney damage, the higher the blood pressure. The
continuous growth of the cysts oppresses the kidney tissues including the small
vessels. The pressure caused by the cysts would cause the short supply of blood.
As a result, the RAAS (rennin- angiotensin - aldosterone system) system- a
system adjusting the blood pressure will be in disorder. That is why Polycystic
Kidney Disease patients will experience high blood pressure.
Polycystic Kidney Disease patients might take medicines like ACE inhibitors,
Angiotensin (ARB), etc to lower their blood pressure. They have potent efficacy
to reduce high blood pressure and decrease the proteinuria. However, patients
may neglect one important point that these medicines will cause great burden to
the already impaired kidneys. As the illness condition progresses, patients will
develop renal failure finally.
High blood pressure will aggravate Polycystic Kidney Disease
Kidneys are filled with numerous tiny blood vessels, and if the blood
pressure is not under control, these tiny blood vessels will become hardened,
developing atherosclerosis. That is a reason why most patients with high blood
pressure will suffer from kidney damage in different degrees. If not treated
properly, these damages will advance into glomerulosclerosis, renal interstitial
fibrosis and Uremia (End Stage Renal Failure) in the long run.
Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure should have
routine check of their kidney function. If protein and red blood cells are found
in the urine; or the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines and the serum
creatinine level is elevated when having check of blood routine, patients should
receive proper treatment timely.
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