Ace the Certified Nephrology Nurse 2025 Exam – Dive into Dialysis Mastery!

Fluid overload due to impaired renal function is the primary cause of secondary hypertension in patients with kidney disease because the kidneys play a crucial role in regulating fluid balance and blood pressure. As renal function declines, the kidneys become less able to excrete sodium and water. This leads to an accumulation of fluid, increasing blood volume, which in turn elevates blood pressure.

Patients with kidney disease often experience a sequence of events that begins with glomerular damage, resulting in a reduced ability to filter blood effectively. This dysfunction can lead to excessive fluid retention and increased blood volume, contributing significantly to the development of hypertension. Furthermore, fluid overload can also trigger the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), further exacerbating hypertension.

While chronic inflammation, sodium retention, and hormonal imbalances can contribute to hypertension in kidney disease, fluid overload is a more direct and immediate consequence of impaired renal function that drives the hypertensive state in these patients.