NUTRITION COUNSELING AND DIETARY

INSTRUCTIONS
HYPERTENSION & KIDNEY
PROBLEMS
DO YOU KNOW THE MAGIC NUMBER, BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The highest figure on a blood pressure
reading is your systolic blood pressure.
This is a measurement of the pressure
your blood exerts on the walls of your
120/80
blood vessels as your heart contracts
and propels blood through your body.
The bottom number on a blood pressure
measurement represents your diastolic
blood pressure. This is a measurement of
the pressure your blood exerts on the
walls of your blood vessels as your heart
relaxes and refills with blood.

BRIEF DISCUSSION:
HYPERTENSION AND KIDNEY
PROBLEMS

BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure refers to the force of blood pushing
against blood vessel walls as the heart pumps out
blood. Using manual blood pressure apparatus, it is
expressed in mmHg as two numbers:

NORMAL BP: below 120

below 80

ELEVATED BP: 120-129 HYPERTENSION

below 80
is the medical term for high blood pressure. It
STAGE 1 HYPERTENSION: 130-139 frequently has no visible indications or symptoms. It
80-89 raises your chances of having your first heart attack,
stroke, chronic heart failure, and renal disease.
STAGE 2 HYPERTENSION: 140 and above
90 and above

KIDNEY PROBLEM
High blood pressure can constrict and restrict Uncontrolled high blood
blood vessels, causing them to become pressure can cause the
damaged and weak throughout the body, arteries around the kidneys
including the kidneys. Blood flow is reduced to narrow, weaken, or harden
because of constriction. If the blood arteries in over time. These clogged
the kidneys are damaged, they may no longer arteries are unable to send
function correctly. Hypertension is defined as sufficient blood to the renal
a rise in the quantity of force (high blood tissue. Kidney arteries that
pressure). The additional fluid in the blood have been damaged do not
arteries elevates blood pressure even higher, filter blood efficiently.
resulting in a deadly cycle that causes more
damage and leads to kidney difficulties.

NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING: DIETARY

APPROACHES TO STOP HYPERTENSION
(DASH) EATING PLAN
Following a lifetime approach to a healthy eating plan is intended to assist decrease blood pressure and
prevent the occurrence or worsening of kidney issues by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, as
well as promoting health and weight reduction. Through the DASH diet, health specialists advocate
focusing more on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-sodium meals:
low in fat and cholesterol
features fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy
products, fish, poultry, and nuts
suggests less red meat, sweets, added
sugars, and sugar-containing beverages
is rich in nutrients, protein, and fiber

DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS:
AVOID SALTS!
the SALTS that should be tolerated are:

S - stop smoking and limit alcoholic drinks

A - active lifestyle is a must! Exercise and get
enough sleep
L - low-sodium diet
T - take medications as prescribed
S - stress management (rest, yoga,
meditation, music therapy)