Quick guide:  

Blood pressure is the pressure of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps. Your kidneys and blood pressure are connected. High blood pressures can cause kidney damage and kidney damage can lead to high blood pressure.  

What you need to know:  

Checking your blood pressure is an important step to monitoring the health of your kidneys. If you are at risk for kidney disease or are already diagnosed, your doctor should routinely check your blood pressure. A Kidney Health Check is a routine test that includes a blood pressure check, blood test, and urine test.  

Blood pressure is usually measured by wrapping an inflatable pressure cuff around the upper arm. The blood pressure results are recorded as two numbers, for example 140/90 mmHg.  

Walkthrough:  

Keeping your blood pressure under control helps to protect your kidneys. Blood pressure medicines can help to lower blood pressure and slow down kidney disease. The two common types are ACE inhibitors (name ends with –PRIL) or ARBs (name ends with –SARTAN).  

 Most people with CKD and high blood pressure should be on one of these types of medicines. Ask your doctor which medicines are best for you. 

Other ways to improve your blood pressure include: 

• Reducing salt in your diet. Try to avoid processed and fast foods which can have a lot of salt.  

• Staying active. Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week.  

• Keeping a healthy weight. A healthy diet and exercise can help.  

• Taking your medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help with your medicines.  

• Quitting smoking or vaping. For more information on quitting, call the Quitline oat 13 78 48 

Support:

• Need more help? Join Kidney Health 4 Life and review courses on the risks of kidney disease and living a healthy lifestyle. 

• Still have questions? Call the Kidney Health 4 Life team: 1800 454 363 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm AEST).  

Key takeaways 

• A blood pressure check is a routine part of screening for kidney problems through a Kidney Health Check.  

• High blood pressures can damage your kidneys, but medicines and a healthy lifestyle can help.  

What’s next:  

• Visit our website:  Learn more about how blood pressure affects your kidneys: Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure | Kidney Health 4 Life 

• Find out ways to stay active with kidney disease: Physical Activity | Kidney Health 4 Life

• Download our Factsheet “Blood pressure and kidney disease”: Blood pressure and CKD factsheet – Kidney Health Australia

Sources: 

Blood pressure and kidney disease factsheet 

Making the Link factsheet 

Last updated 14 April 2026