We have all been talking about the silent effects of blood pressure and blood sugar on our bodies. But does one affect the kidneys more than the other? This is the question a Quora user asked, for which we decided to gather insights from doctors. What happens when there is high blood pressure? The kidneys are basically "filters" that operate constantly. "To do this, they depend on healthy, elastic blood vessels. High blood pressure damages these vessels directly, which makes the kidneys less effective. The risk is that this damage tends to accumulate silently for years before coming up with any symptoms," said Dr Parin Sangoi, consultant, interventional cardiologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central. Perpetual high blood pressure puts constant pressure on the sensitive blood vessels within the kidneys. As time passes, the vessels harden and constrict, decreasing the kidney's function to filter out waste and balance fluids. This quiet strain might not result in immediate signs, but it can lead to chronic kidney disease over time," said Dr Sangoi. What to note? First of all, don't dismiss it simply because you are okay. "High blood pressure has been nicknamed the 'silent killer' because it quietly does its damage. If left undetected, kidney function can decline to the level that dialysis or transplant becomes necessary," said Dr Sangoi. The silver lining is that early control of blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of complications. Monitoring regularly, adhering to medication, following a low-sodium diet, remaining physically active, refraining from smoking, and controlling diabetes can help significantly. What happens when there is high sugar? Dr Vijay Negalur, HoD-Diabetology, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, pointed out that when there is extra sugar in your blood for a long time, your kidneys have to work harder to filter it. "Over time, the extra pressure on the tiny blood vessels can cause damage and lower the kidneys' ability to filter your blood. This is why people with high sugar levels can have complications with their kidneys," said Dr Negalur. The kidneys function as natural filters. Excess sugar causes them to leak protein in the urine, a suggestion that they are stressed. "Over time, this can result in diabetic kidney disease, wherein the kidney function continues to decrease," explained Dr Negalur. What should one remember? The most crucial step is maintaining balanced sugar levels through proper food intake, regular exercise, and regular medical check-ups. Staying well-hydrated, refraining from excessive consumption of packaged sweets, and monitoring daily sugar intake do much to protect kidney health. So, does high blood pressure or high sugar affect the kidneys more? Dr Negalur asserted that while both are damaging, "sustained elevated blood sugar is more likely to directly and progressively affect the kidneys". "Long-standing uncontrolled diabetes permanently injures the small filtering units (glomeruli) of the kidneys, usually silently, and may result in diabetic nephropathy in the long term. High blood pressure also injures kidneys by hurting blood vessels and impairing filtration effectiveness, but if blood sugar is extremely out of control, it usually produces quicker and more predictable kidney damage," said Dr Negalur. According to Dr Negalur, most patients have elevated blood pressure and elevated sugar, and the combination is what hastens kidney damage. "That's why keeping blood sugar under control, together with keeping blood pressure in safe ranges, is vital in kidney protection," said Dr Negalur. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
