Kidney Korner: Introduction to Blood Pressure

In this segment of the Kidney Korner, we will begin to touch on blood pressure, its causes, and how Dr. Munjal can help. This introduction will branch off to include more specific topics regarding blood pressure, its causes, contributing factors, treatments, and more.


What is Blood Pressure?
Blood Pressure is the measurement of the circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels. This is a measurement of the amount of force the body is using to get blood through the arteries.

What can contribute to blood pressure raising and lowering?

• Changing body position: standing up, sitting down, bending over
• Exercise: Lack of exercise can lead to weight gain and cause higher blood pressure. Exercise can also temporarily raise the blood pressure.
• Hydration: being dehydrated can cause your blood pressure to lower and being over-hydrated can cause your blood pressure to increase
• Nutrition: High sodium and/or low potassium can lead to high blood pressure as they balance one another out in the body. 
• Hormones: Hormones like aldosterone, cortisol, and catecholamines can affect the blood pressure due to their influence on fluid and electrolyte balance. 
• Stress: Changes in blood pressure due to stress are generally temporary due to changes in lifestyle and eating habits to assist with coping to high stress levels.
• Certain chronic conditions: Kidney disease and diabetes are two of the most common contributing factors to hypertension.
• Smoking/Vaping: The nicotine and chemicals in cigarettes and vapes can cause the blood vessels to narrow, causing the heart to beat faster, subsequently raising blood pressure. 
• Alcohol: Alcohol can increase blood pressure temporarily, but over time, it can lead to long term increases. Additionally, alcohol includes calories that can lead to weight gain that will potentially lead to an increase in blood pressure as well. 

How Dr. Munjal helps:

• Evaluates readings over time to try and determine the cause of high or low blood pressure
• Asks a series of questions in a consultation to decide the best course of action
• Prescribe a variety of medications based on symptoms and individual needs 
• Makes dietary and lifestyle suggestions
• Orders specialized labs to test for other contributing conditions or causes
• Qualified patients can be enrolled in a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program to monitor readings continuously for faster intervention and more precise care plan adjustments.

Munjal’s Musings:
“A small subset of patients may have high blood pressure for a specific cause. Testing can be undertaken to identify and pinpoint the cause to treat it more effectively. We like to do a better job with fewer medications.”


Changes in blood pressure can come with a myriad of symptoms. If you are concerned with your blood pressure, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Munjal or speak with your care team.


Resources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17649-blood-pressure
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373417.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.15006
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/1015/p1542.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254

​This website is for informational and educational purposes ONLY. While we strive for accurate, general medical information, this does not replace professional medical advice. Do not rely solely on this information. Please consult with your provider for more information regarding your specific needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.