How does high blood pressure affect the kidneys?
High blood pressure (hypertension), is a major factor in the development of kidney problems in people with diabetes. The glomeruli, the filters of the kidney, do not work effectively in the presence of high blood pressure as it damages and scars their delicate structure. Therefore, less excess water and fewer waste products are removed. These build up in the body causing the symptoms of kidney failure. A family history of high blood pressure and the presence of high blood pressure increases the chances of developing kidney disease. High blood pressure will make any kidney damage worse where it already exists. What is high blood pressure? Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury. Normal blood pressure is about 120 millimetres of mercury systolic over 70 millimetres of mercury diastolic but varies according to the gender, height and weight of a person. The term systolic refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts or beats and diastolic refers to the pressu
