Did you know that approximately one in three adults in the UK has hypertension?
Shockingly, half of these individuals are undiagnosed and are not receiving treatment. In England alone, more than five million people remain undiagnosed. As we strive for better health, it is essential to understand the significant impact hypertension can have on our well-being, particularly on our kidneys.
Understanding Hypertension and Kidney Health
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a prevalent condition with serious health implications. It can be caused by various factors, including unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Additionally, age, genetics, and ethnicity can also influence its development.
So why is hypertension a concern?
Well, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease (CKD). Uncontrolled hypertension is one of the leading causes of CKD. It can slowly damage the kidneys over time, leading to a gradual loss of kidney function. Prolonged hypertension can result in kidney failure, where the kidneys lose their ability to function properly, resulting in needing dialysis, or a kidney transplant, to survive.
Experiencing this Challenge
Unfortunately, I understand this challenge firsthand. In 2019, I was diagnosed with stage 4 IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease, a kidney disease with autoimmune origins with varying symptoms that went unnoticed for years. Although "autoimmune" refers to a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its tissues, having high blood pressure put an additional strain on my kidneys and accelerated the progression of kidney damage, leading to a decline in kidney function. As the disease progressed, my kidneys failed (known as end-stage renal disease), and in 2022, I began dialysis as part of my ongoing treatment.
Whist I undergo dialysis treatment three times a week and I wait for a kidney transplant; it is even more important for me to monitor my blood pressure to avoid being at risk of having a stroke or a heart attack. This personal journey has driven me to launch the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise (ACKEE), a community interest company aimed at educating Black African Caribbean people on the importance of looking after their kidneys in life so that they can avoid being in a similar position to me (people from black communities are five times more likely to develop CKD than other groups), and also to encourage deceased organ donation, as numbers are shockingly low in the Black African Caribbean communities.
It is vital that blood pressure is kept under control, which in turn will help maintain good kidney health.
Here are some of ACKEE’s top tips:
Maintain a healthy weight: For your height and body type.
Eat a balanced diet: Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Support your immune system by including Seamoss from Bood in your diet and consuming juices that include beetroot and ginger.
Limit your salt intake: A difficult one, I know, especially as in a typical African or Caribbean household, we are keen on our seasoning! However, salt is in so much of what we eat, in addition to what we add to our food. Making small changes may not seem like much, but it does make a difference, such as using unsalted butter, limiting the amount of processed and takeaway food you eat (and choosing food with green salt labels instead of yellow and red) and not adding salt when boiling food such as pasta, rice, and potatoes.
Monitor your blood pressure: Your GP can do this, but if your GP surgery is anything like mine, it may be difficult to get a face-to-face appointment. Therefore, you can do it yourself with a home BP machine.
Take prescribed medications: If you are prescribed blood pressure medications by your doctor, it is important that you take them.
Get regular check-ups and screenings for kidney function: Kidney damage can cause high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can cause kidney damage. It is a vicious cycle, and you may be more prone to it if you are at high risk. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease and/or hypertension, it is crucial to stay informed and educated.
Connecting with ACKEE is a great place to start. By sharing knowledge, we can empower each other to make informed decisions about our health and wellbeing.
Managing hypertension is crucial for maintaining good kidney health. As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of kidney disease, I understand the importance of raising awareness. That is why I founded the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise (ACKEE), a community interest company with a simple mission: we are passionate about educating Black African Caribbean people to look after their kidneys in life and donate their kidneys in death. By fostering dialogue, promoting healthy lifestyles, and raising awareness, we aim to create a future where kidney disease is less prevalent in the Black African Caribbean community, and deceased organ donation is increased.
Visit ACKEE: www.ackee.org.uk and follow @wearetheackee on social media
Candice McKenzie Founder and Director, African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise (ACKEE)