Reply #42: VERY Unlikely BP Meds Caused Kidney Problems; High BP Causes Kidney Damage [View All]

[REP]

Blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, ARBs) are used in kidney patients with normal blood pressure because of their protective action on the kidneys (it's a side-effect, and aside from lowering blood pressure). High blood pressure is the number 2 cause of kidney failure in the US, behind diabetes. It is possible that years of untreated hypertension brought about the kidney disease, or the increase in blood pressure is secondary to pre-existing kidney disease. ACE inhibitors and ARBs don't cause kidney stones and they decrease proteinuria; diuretics such as Lasix may increase the need to urinate but that is not a kidney problem. People are more likely to cause themselves kidney damage (analgesic-induced renal papillary necrosis)by misusing NSAIDs (ibuprofen, etc) or Tylenol (acetominophen), especially middle-aged/elderly women.