Hypertension (high blood pressure) during dialysis is a common problem for people with end-stage kidney disease. Dialysis is a treatment used to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do this on their own. During dialysis, blood flows through a special filter called a dialyzer, which removes waste and excess fluid.
Hypertension during dialysis can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Volume overload: This occurs when there is too much fluid in the body. This can happen if the person consumes too much fluid between dialysis treatments or if the dialysis treatment does not remove enough fluid.
High sodium levels: Consuming too much sodium (salt) can cause fluid retention and lead to hypertension.
Medications: Some medications used during dialysis can cause hypertension as a side effect.
Underlying medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, can increase the risk of hypertension during dialysis.
Managing hypertension during dialysis is important to reduce the risk of complications such as heart attack or stroke. Treatment may include adjusting the dialysis prescription, reducing sodium intake, and medication management. It is important for people with end-stage kidney disease to work closely with their healthcare team to manage hypertension and other health concerns.
