One of the important functions of the kidneys is to regulate blood pressure. Kidney failure leads to high blood pressure.

As well, high blood pressure can be a direct cause of kidney failure. In fact, high blood pressure, or hypertension, causes more than 25% of the new cases of kidney failure each year. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can speed up the progression of kidney failure.

By damaging the blood vessels, high blood pressure can also lead to stroke, heart disease, and even death. High blood pressure increases the likelihood of a stroke or a heart.

Good control and treatment of blood pressure may take the strain off the kidneys, slowing the progression of kidney failure and delaying the need for dialysis. In fact, controlling blood pressure is the only thing proven to delay the need for dialysis in all kidney patients, whatever the cause of their kidney failure. Good blood pressure control may also prolong the life of a transplant. Control begins with measurements of your blood pressure.

Although anxiety can increase blood pressure slightly, it is not a major factor in causing high blood pressure.

Several factors may worsen high blood pressure including:

People with kidney failure can also have blood pressure that is lower than normal. Low blood pressure is a less serious problem than high blood pressure.