High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a chronic condition that if left untreated can lead to serious heart problems like a stroke or heart attack. High blood pressure occurs when the blood is pushing too hard through the arteries. A normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 (120/80). High blood pressure is a consistent reading of anything above 140/90.
Hypertension can threaten the kidneys by damaging the blood vessels of the kidney, reducing its ability to function properly. Damaged blood vessels may no longer be able to remove excess fluid from the blood, further increasing blood pressure, leading to a very dangerous cycle.
As the second-leading cause of kidney failure, hypertension is a major hematological concern. Swelling (edema) in the legs, feet, ankles, hands or face is a common warning sign for hypertension-related kidney problems. Be sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly and report any high or unusual results as soon as you can.