Are cases of undetected and uncontrolled hypertension leading to kidney failure? A 39-year-old man undergoes dialysis twice a week owing to kidney failure, and it’s being blamed on uncontrolled hypertension.
Obese, stressed out as a businessman and munching regularly on unhealthy food, he had not taken his hypertension seriously as a clear warning sign. “This man could have already had an underlying kidney disease. Either the hypertension did further damage, or the disease triggered hypertension,” says Feroz Aziz, nephrologist at Aster MIMS, Kozhikode.
Vice-versa too
Hypertension can, in the long run, cause kidney damage just as diabetes. At the same time, kidney disease can cause hypertension, he explains. This man’s case is representative of many instances where undetected or uncontrolled hypertension wreaks havoc on kidneys. The basic health check-up can help avoid damage.
“There is a simple test to detect protein leak through urine, which indicates kidney failure. The problem is that the primary physicians do not go beyond the BP check and suggest the urine test. “It is at this point, we miss the chance to prevent major damage,” says Dr. Aziz.
“At any point in time, only 50 per cent of those who are hypertensive are aware that they have the problem. And, only a miniscule section of these people really go in for appropriate treatment that can prevent damage to the kidney, heart and brain,” the nephrologist says.
Out of 100 cases of kidney failure, 40 per cent could be because of diabetes and 20-25 per cent, hypertension.
Contributing factors
Stress, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle are some of the factors that have lowered the age threshold for hypertension or diabetes to 25-30 years, which only stresses the importance of periodical check-up.
Individuals who could be in the danger zone rarely undergo periodical checks.
And, there could be a time-bomb ticking in them.
Holistic approach
“We need a holistic approach to preventing kidney damage, and periodical check-up is an important part, especially with the possibility of the factors setting in at an early age,” he says. “Restricted salt intake (including junk food with high salt) reduces hypertension by 10 per cent. Exercise reduces it by another 10 per cent. But, both do not happen.”
Rather than reaching a stage where more dialysis centres are required, what we need to focus on is intensive preventive nephrology, he says.
Reporting by K.V. Prasad
