High blood pressure (Hypertension) can be a reason to cause various kidney diseases. High blood pressure is most commonly reported in kidney disease globally. So the people want to know the best blood pressure medication for kidney disease patients. However, in this blog, we will explore the best blood pressure medication for kidney disease. Also, discover the relation between blood pressure and kidney disease, the benefits of blood pressure medicine, and the side effects of medications.
What is Blood Pressure?
The pressure of blood flow in arteries as the heart pumps it through your body is known as blood pressure. Systolic pressure, which is the upper number, represents the pressure during a heartbeat. Diastolic pressure, which is the lower number, represents the pressure during a period of rest between heartbeats.
What is Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease is a condition that occurs due to kidney damage, and unable to perform their function. It means your kidneys can not filter excess water and waste from the blood the way in normally do. When the kidneys do not perform normally, it means waste material builds up in the blood.
Relation Between Kidney Disease and Blood Pressure
A kidney disease can also cause a type of high blood pressure known as renal hypertension. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys by harming the blood vessels in your body. If the kidney blood vessels are damaged, they can not work normally. Once the kidney function is not performing the way it normally does, the patient is diagnosed with renal disease. There are only two treatments left after end-stage renal disease: a kidney transplant or kidney dialysis. However, the people are treated with medication to balance their blood pressure.
Most Popular Blood Pressure Medication for Kidney Disease
There are multiple medicines available for managing blood pressure, but the best medication for individuals depends on their health and their doctors. Here are some of the best medicines given below:
ACE Angiotension Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are a type of medicine that is used to manage high blood pressure and heart failure. These drugs can decrease your blood pressure and protect your kidneys. However, they work by preventing your body and making the hormone angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors benefit both patients with cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.
Cardiovascular Benefits
- It helps to decrease high blood pressure.
- It helps to treat heart failure.
- It reduces the future risk and improves the recovery.
Kidney Benefits
- It helps to protect the kidney filter.
- It helps to slow the chronic kidney disease.
- It also reduces the stress on the kidneys.
ARBs Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Angiotensin II receptor is a type of medicine that is used to manage high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease. It is a medication for blocking hormones from narrowing blood vessels. In the results, inhibition leads to vasodilation, a reduced aldosterone level, and a decrease in high blood pressure. ARB is beneficial for both patients with cardiovascular and kidney disease.
Benefits for people suffering from cardiovascular problems
- It helps reduce blood pressure.
- It is used to treat heart failure.
- It reduces the future heart attacks.
Benefits for people with kidney disease
- It reduces the slow kidney damage.
- Reducing urinary albumin
- protects against cardiovascular events.
Alpha-Blockers
It is a type of medicine that is used to manage high blood pressure and kidney stones. These drugs block the effect of the hormone called norepinephrine and balance the sympathetic nervous system via alpha adrenergic receptors. It also manages to relax the smooth vascular muscles that help blood vessels open and relax. This drug
benefits both cardiovascular and kidney disease patients.
Benefits for cardiovascular patients
- It helps to decrease high blood pressure and improve the lipid profile.
- It helps to potentially reduce left ventricular mass.
- There are no negative glucose effects.
Benefit for the patients with kidney diseases
- It is used for balancing hypertension.
- It is beneficial for kidney stones.
- It is a potential for kidney disease progression.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers are a type of medicine that is used to balance high blood pressure. However, it is used to block the effects of noradrenaline and adrenaline. That can cause the heart to beat slowly and with less force. They can improve your heartbeat and blood pressure flow, and your heart works normally. Beta blocker is used for both cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases.
Benefits for cardiovascular patients
- It treats managing heart failure in the future.
- It treats hypertension and prevents future unwanted events.
- It is used to control abnormal heart rhythms.
Benefits for the kidney patients
- It improves kidney oxygenation.
- It helps to decrease blood pressure and reduce damage progression.
- They protect against acute kidney disease.
CCBs (Calcium Channel Blockers) or Calcium Antagonists
Calcium channel blockers are a type of medicine that can reduce your blood pressure. This medicine blocks the entry of calcium and limits how much calcium can enter and out the cells in your heart and blood vessels. Usually, it is used to treat hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chest pain. CCBs are useful for both cardiovascular and kidney disease patients.
Cardiovascular benefits to patients
- It is used to treat high blood pressure.
- It helps with chest pain (angina).
- Treats coronary vasospasm.
Benefits to the kidney
- It helps to control blood pressure.
- Potential for kidney protection.
- It helps cardiovascular protection.
Side Effects of Blood Pressure Medication for Kidney Disease
Besides the benefits, some side effects also occur by taking these types of medications. Check out some side effects of blood pressure medication for kidney disease, given below:
- Headache, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting
- The potassium level increases due to an ACE inhibitor or ARBs.
- Cold hands and feet
- Muscles cramp and swell
- Lightheadedness, or dizziness
Lifestyle Changes to Support the Blood Pressure Medications
There are some factors to change lifestyle and dietary plan to support the blood pressure medication, given below:
Dietary Plans
- Avoid alcohol and certain medications.
- Reduce the sodium-rich foods and increase the potassium-rich foods
- Follow healthy food and stay hydrated.
Lifestyle Changes
- Balance a healthy weight.
- Include regular physical activity and exercise.
- Manage stress and get proper sleep.
Conclusion
As we all know, there are several medicines available to control high blood pressure due to kidney diseases. Apart from treatment and surgeries, medications play a major role in treating patients. We have discussed the direct connection between the kidney and blood pressure. And the best medications related to this issue and their benefits, too. Preventing the disease should be our priority, the curing it. And if already suffering from a disease, early detection and taking proper medication should be your first priority.