What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels as the heart pumps blood around the body. If this pressure becomes too high, someone is said to have high blood pressure, or hypertension.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of months or years. As a result, the kidneys are less able to do the following jobs to help maintain health:
◆Remove wastes and extra fluid from the body
◆Release hormones that: control blood pressure; prevent anemia (low blood count); promote strong bones.Kidney Failure, Nausea, Vomiting, high blood pressure
◆Make hormones that promote normal growth and development in children.
◆Keep the right balance of important chemicals in the blood, such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
◆Maintain the body’s balance of acids and bases.
How are high blood pressure and Chronic Kidney Disease related?
High blood pressure is a leading cause of CKD in adults and contributes to the worsening of CKD in children. High blood pressure can also be a complication of kidney disease. The kidneys play a key role in keeping blood pressure in a healthy range. If your child’s kidneys are damaged, they are less able to help regulate blood pressure. As a result, the child’s blood pressure increases and CKD gets worse. Making sure your child’s treatment plan is followed carefully and his/her blood pressure is controlled can help keep kidney disease from getting worse and prevent heart disease. High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease
Key points to remember for parents with a child whose blood pressure is high:
■ High blood pressure is common in children with CKD.
■ High blood pressure increases the chance that kidney disease will get worse and that heart and vascular disease will develop.
■ If your child has CKD, it’s important to have the child’s blood pressure checked.
■ Blood pressure should be measured with a cuff that is the right size for the child.
■ Normal blood pressure is lower in children. To determine whether your child’s blood pressure is high, the doctor will compare his/her reading with charts that list normal ranges for children based on gender, age and size.
■ A doctor who specializes in treating CKD and high blood pressure in children should be involved in your child’s care.
■ Treatment for high blood pressure may include taking medications and making lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet, losing weight and exercising regularly. Cutting back on salt may also be recommended.
■ The dose of any medication prescribed for your child should be adjusted for the child’s age and size.
