The Message for World Kidney Day 2009: Hypertension and Kidney Disease: a marriage that should be prevented

The kidney is both a cause and victim of hypertension. High blood pressure is a key pathogenetic factor that contributes to deterioration of kidney function. Presence of kidney disease is a common and underappreciated preexisting medical cause of resistant hypertension. Therefore, treatment of hypertension has become the most important intervention in the management of all forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD). For this reason, the forthcoming World Kidney Day (WKD) on March 12th 2009 will emphasize the role of hypertension for renal disease.