If you are at risk for kidney disease, the most important steps you can take to keep your kidneys healthy are:
- Get your blood and urine checked for kidney disease.
- Manage your diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
If tests show kidney disease, there are blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors and ARBs that you can take to protect your kidneys. These medicines can help your kidneys even if you don’t have high blood pressure. Learn more about treating kidney disease.
Tips for People with Diabetes
- Get your blood and urine checked for kidney disease
- For type 2 diabetes, get tested every year
- For type 1 diabetes, get tested every year starting five years after you were diagnosed with diabetes
- Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg
- Aim for your blood glucose targets as often as you can.
- When you wake up and before meals: 70 to 130
- Two hours after starting to eat a meal: Under 180
- Keep your cholesterol levels in the target range
- Take your medicines as prescribed
- Eat healthy and cut back on salt
- Be physically active
For more information on managing diabetes, visit the National Diabetes Education Program.
Tips for People with High Blood Pressure or Heart Disease
- Get your blood and urine checked for kidney disease
- Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg
- Maintain your ideal weight
- Eat healthy
- Choose fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods
- Limit your daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg) or lower
- Be physically active
- Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake
- Take all medicines as prescribed – there are blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors and ARBs that also protect your kidneys
- Aim for your blood glucose targets as often as you can if you have diabetes
- See your health care provider as directed
For more information on controlling high blood pressure, visit the National High Blood Pressure Education Program.
For more information on managing heart disease, visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. |
