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How do you measure up? Kidney Health Week 24-30 May 2009
Hunter New England Health is challenging the community to find out how they measure up by getting their blood pressure checked as part of Kidney Health Week (24 – 30 May 2009).
High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for kidney disease and if blood pressure is left unchecked it can cause blood vessels in the kidneys to become thickened and narrowed which will affect blood and kidney function.
Hunter New England Health’s Renal Resource Coordinator Amy Bertram said that having regular blood pressure tests is vital for those at risk of kidney disease as there are few signs or symptoms until almost 90 per cent of kidney function is lost permanently.
“People who are over 50 years old, are a smoker, suffer from hypertension or diabetes and have a family history of kidney disease are more at risk of developing kidney disease,” Ms Bertam said.
“People from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent also appear to be more at risk, and often from a younger age.
“About two million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and don’t realise they have it.
“I encourage all people at risk of kidney disease to visit their GP to have their blood pressure checked as well as blood and urine tests to check kidney function annually. Fortunately, if kidney disease is detected early its progress can be slowed through lifestyle changes and medication,” Ms Bertam said.
Ms Bertram said if left unchecked kidney disease can cause kidneys to gradually lose their ability to filter blood and waste products however signs often go unnoticed and undetected until its too late for anything but dialysis or a transplant.
Hunter New England Health is currently caring for over 330 people on dialysis treatment and over 500 people close to starting dialysis.
Events:
As part of Kidney Health Week staff from the Wansey Dialysis Unit will be hold a Kidney Awareness Stand in the foyer of the Royal Newcastle Centre,
Staff at the Wansey Dialysis Unit will also be holding a morning tea to celebrate Kidney Health Week on Friday 29 May from 10.30am
Contact: Sharna McCarthy
Phone: 4921 4501
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