Site reviewed:

Jun 2010

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in the arteries. Every time the heart pumps it forces blood through the arteries and into smaller blood vessels called capillaries. BP is measured in ‘mmHg’ by two numbers:

 

• The top number or systolic, eg 130, measures the pressure when the heart contracts or beats
• The bottom number or diastolic, eg 80, measures the pressure in between beats when the heart rests

 

The actual numbers vary between individuals and change with age and activity. However, consistent BP readings over 140/90 are considered hypertensive.

 

High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is both a consequence and a contributor to kidney failure. At least 60% of people with ADPKD and 80% of children with ARPKD have high BP. The reason for high BP is unknown, but it should be treated early. If you cannot maintain blood pressure at an acceptable level, you will need medication.

 

A sustained rise in blood pressure leads to thickening of the heart muscle, which can lead to a greater risk of heart disease, strokes and atheroma (hardening of the arteries). High BP also puts extra strain on the kidneys and may accelerate kidney function decline.

 

Normal levels for BP in the UK are 140/85, but ADPKD patients are recommended to keep BP at ≤130/80 unless you have large amounts of urinary protein loss (or proteinuria) when a blood pressure of ≤120/75 mmHg is usually recommended.

 

Click here to download an article on blood pressure by Dr Tim Doulton BSc MRCP

 

Useful links:

Contact the Blood Pressure Association (BPA), a UK registered charity that provides information and support to people with high blood pressure. External web link to the BPA site.

 

The British Hypertension Society (BHS) provides a medical and scientific research forum on high blood pressure and its treatment. External link to the BHS site.