We have put together a range of easy-to-use resources to help you understand how blood pressure links with pregnancy and other
health conditions. These resources explain the risks, offer practical advice, and highlight where to get support. On this page, you will find information about:
- kidney disease and blood pressure
Download: all resources on this page are available to download in Word or PDF. We also provide Easy Read versions which may help support people with learning disabilities, autism, or cognitive disabilities but many people will find them useful.
- Patient information - blood pressure and kidney disease (PDF)
- Patient information - blood pressure and kidney disease (Microsoft Word)
- Easy read - high blood pressure, pregnancy and other condition (PDF)
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What is kidney disease?
High blood pressure is both a cause and a result of kidney disease. In some cases, it can be hard to tell which came first.
Healthy kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by controlling the amount of fluid in the body and by releasing hormones that help control the narrowing of blood vessels.
Kidney disease (also called chronic kidney disease or CKD) means the kidneys aren’t working as well as they should. If the kidneys are damaged, they can’t remove waste and fluid properly, leading to more fluid in the blood vessels. This raises blood pressure further and starts a dangerous cycle. Over time, this can lead to more kidney damage and, in some cases, kidney failure. It’s often mild, with no symptoms, and can be managed by you and your health care professional. In rare cases, it becomes advanced and can lead to kidney failure and other serious health problems.
What do the kidneys do?
The kidneys act as a filter for your blood, removing waste products, toxins and excess fluid in your urine. They help regulate blood pressure by removing salt and water, and by releasing hormones that affect how blood vessels narrow or widen.
They also produce hormones that:
- help make red blood cells
- support healthy bones
If your kidneys stop working properly, these functions are affected, which can lead to anaemia, bone disease and other health problems.
How does high blood pressure cause kidney disease?
Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages blood vessels by making them narrower and stiffer. If the vessels in and around the kidneys are damaged, less oxygen and nutrients reach the kidney cells. This causes scarring and reduces kidney function.
In response, the kidneys may release hormones to try to raise blood pressure even more, creating a vicious cycle that makes the problem worse.
How can I reduce my risk of kidney disease?
Controlling your blood pressure is the most important step. Many of the steps that lower your blood pressure will also protect your kidneys:
- stop smoking
- eat healthily
- stay active
- keep to a healthy weight
- reduce salt to less than 6g a day for adults. You can find the guidelines can be found on the NHS, Healthier Families webpages using this link
- manage your diabetes or blood pressure if you’ve already been diagnosed
Use the free online tool from Diabetes UK, accessed using this link.