More than 50%~70% of PKD cases undergo hypertension before 30 years of age.
Controlling hypertension may delay the development of the kidney disease and
slow further kidney injury. Medications, diet, exercise helps lower blood
pressure and alleviate the kidney cysts.
Before we discuss how to control the blood pressure well, how PKD leads to
hypertension should be established.
Cause
Increase activity of renin-angiotensin system an extracellular volume
expansion is often present early in polycystic kidney disease. As it is said,
cyst expansion in kidneys causes kidney damages, leading to renal ischemia. Once
kidneys are impaired, they will release renin. This substance is largely
responsible for the initial rise in the blood pressure.
Thereby, the root control of high blood pressure is to decrease the cyst both
in size and in number.
Medication
Medications are usually needed to lower high blood pressure. The medications
for you should be checked up with your doctor. The common ones include ACE, ARB
etc. Chinese herbs are also suggested for it keeps the balance of whole body
health. It lowers blood pressure by shrinking cysts on your polycystic
kidneys.
Diet
The common diet principle includes low-protein, low-salt and low-fat. You
should remember the flowing things when you choose something to eat:
● Limit to eat junk food, processed food and fast food, for most of them
contains higher slat and fat levels.
● Avoid coffee, chocolate, alcohol. All of these foods and drinks contain
Cyclic AMP which can trigger cyst fluids to generate, leading to the increase of
renal cysts both in size and in number.
● Vegetables and fruits usually makes no harm. You are suggested to pick up
vegetable and fruits when you are puzzled to eat.
Exercise
Mile increasing exercise also helps lower hypertension caused by polycystic
kidney disease. However, long-time sports or strenuous exercise should be
avoided for they may cause cyst rupture.
You are suggested to walk, jog, swim, tai chi, hike etc. You can choose a
favorite one to exercise 5days out of one week.
Hypertension usually appears when cysts begin to damage your kidney tissues.
If you are suffering from high blood pressure after Polycystic Kidney Disease
diagnosis, it’s a good time for you to receive treatment to reverse your kidney
functions and avoid kidney failure.
