Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition not to be taken lightly because it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or kidney disease. Therefore, it is imperative to lower high blood pressure to protect vital organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys from damage.

Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for kidney disease, and the kidney specialists at Commonwealth Nephrology Associates will help you control high blood pressure to prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease.

In adults, blood pressure above 130/80 is considered high. The top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart is beating, while the bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when your heart is resting between beats.

You are more likely to have hypertension if you are overweight or obese or if you have diabetes or heart disease. Over the years, a number of factors can also contribute to hypertension, including poor nutrition – especially diets high in sodium, not exercising enough, smoking, or drinking too much alcohol.

To prevent high blood pressure, our nephrologists may encourage you to make lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthier diet and decreasing your sodium intake, quitting smoking, and getting more exercise. They may also prescribe medication to help keep your blood pressure under control.

Our kidney doctors often recommend diuretics as the first type of therapy for most people who have high blood pressure, although they may prescribe additional medications if you have other medical problems such as diabetes.

Depending on how high your blood pressure is, our kidney specialists may prescribe two different drugs or a combination drug. There are several types of hypertension drugs on the market, including ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers), beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, alpha agonists, renin inhibitors, and combination drugs.

After starting any high blood pressure medication, you will follow up in our office at least once a month until you reach your target blood pressure.

Controlling your blood pressure is critical in preventing and managing kidney disease. The physicians at Commonwealth Nephrology Associates are experts in treating hypertension and reducing high blood pressure. To schedule a visit to one of our conveniently located offices in the Boston area, call (617) 739-2100 or Request an Appointment online.