Also called: hypertension
Blood flows away from the heart through specialized blood vessels known as arteries, delivering it to all parts of the body. What’s being measured is the force of this blood against the artery walls as the heart contracts. This measurement consists of two numbers: the top number, known as systolic pressure, represents the pressure when the heart pumps blood out, while the bottom number, diastolic pressure, indicates the pressure when the heart relaxes before its next beat.
When blood pressure remains elevated and is left untreated, it can inflict damage upon the blood vessels responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. Typically, it’s the smaller blood vessels that feel the initial impact. Among these are the tiny blood vessels within the kidneys, which are susceptible to harm from high blood pressure. This damage can contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It’s worth noting that one of the kidneys’ vital functions is blood pressure regulation, which can be further complicated when high blood pressure disrupts this balance. Renin, a hormone produced by the kidneys, may be released when kidney function is compromised, potentially exacerbating hypertension.
