Hypertension, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk
Written by:In Spain, 6.8% of the adult population is diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. The general profile is of individuals with high cardiovascular risk and elderly. Most diabetics have high blood pressure, many are obese and have high cholesterol. The increase in the number of patients who initiate renal replacement therapy is also a reality.
Hypertension is the cause and consequence of the development not only of renal failure, but of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart failure and arrhythmias, cerebrovascular accidents or rupture of aneurysms, which aggravates arteriosclerosis and induces a high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is a priority to assess the potentially treatable triggers, target organ involvement and correct treatment.. In general, the most recent guidelines recommend maintaining systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels below 140 / 90mmHg for all age groups, being more permissive at 150 / 90mmHg for people over 60 years of age.. As a member of the Spanish Society of Nephrology, I would like to remind you that nephrologists are the specialists most accustomed to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension .
Chronic Kidney Disease occurs when there is structural or functional damage to the kidneys. When this operation is below 60% of the filtrate we say that there is renal failure. As the disease progresses and the filtering is reduced, complications such as anemia of renal origin, fluid overload, hypertension, alterations in bone and mineral metabolism with accumulation of urea and potassium appear that can compromise the patient's life. It is a disease that can not be cured, so diagnosis and prevention are key to preventing kidney disease from progressing.
The diagnosis is simple, with a blood test, measuring creatinine levels and a urinalysis where alterations in urine concentration, albumin or red cell losses can be observed that warn that something is wrong with the functioning of the kidneys. These explorations are completed with an imaging technique such as renal ultrasound and an arterial Doppler ultrasound to assess arterial size and flow.
To conclude, note that the presence of chronic kidney disease, in any of its stages significantly increases cardiovascular risk. The control of hypertension and other associated risk factors can contribute to the prevention of its onset and development.
From the Nephrology consultations we are specially sensitized, not only in the management of Arterial Hypertension, but also in the global assessment of CARDIOVASCULAR RISK. This assessment is completed with explorations such as the blood pressure Holter, the arterial Doppler and the supra-aortic trunks by Vascular Surgery, the complete echocardiogram and analytics, among others.. The objective is to offer the patient an individualized treatment and follow-up.
