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Ahead of World Kidney Day, Experts Sound Alarm on High Blood Pressure’s Impact on Kidney Function
Introduction: As World Kidney Day approaches, health experts have raised concerns over the escalating prevalence of hypertension, or high blood pressure, in India, highlighting its alarming threat to kidney health. With chronic kidney disease (CKD) emerging as a significant health burden, the correlation between hypertension and renal impairment is garnering increased attention.
High Blood Pressure: The Silent Assassin: Hypertension, often dubbed the “silent assassin,” affects a staggering 315 million individuals in India. Its insidious nature, marked by asymptomatic progression, poses a grave risk to cardiovascular health and, notably, kidney function. Health experts underscored hypertension’s role in damaging the blood vessels within the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition that can progress to end-stage renal failure if left unchecked.
Expert Insights: Pankaj Bhardwaj, Academic Head of the School of Public Health at AIIMS Jodhpur, emphasized the critical importance of hypertension control across all age groups. “Uncontrolled hypertension poses significant risks to kidney health and overall well-being,” he affirmed, stressing the imperative of prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment.
Complex Relationship Between Hypertension and CKD: The intricate interplay between hypertension and CKD underscores the challenges in discerning their causal relationship. Vikas Jain, Director of the Department of Urology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, elucidated the modifiable risk factors contributing to CKD, including hypertension, diabetes, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. Jain emphasized the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to mitigate kidney damage.
Early Detection and Prevention: Recognizing the early signs of kidney impairment, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and swelling, is paramount in facilitating timely intervention. Vikas Jain underscored the importance of vigilance and proactive health monitoring to curb the progression of renal disease.
Conclusion: As India grapples with a burgeoning epidemic of hypertension and its detrimental effects on kidney health, concerted efforts are imperative to raise awareness, promote preventive measures, and enhance access to quality healthcare services. With World Kidney Day serving as a timely reminder of the urgent need for kidney health advocacy, health experts underscored the pivotal role of early detection and comprehensive management in mitigating the burden of renal disease.
