Kidneys → Salt & Water → Blood Pressure → Heart Work
The biology
Kidneys decide how much salt and water stay in the body. When filtration falls, salt and water accumulate, blood pressure rises and the heart has to pump harder.
What this means
Damaged kidneys raise blood pressure; high blood pressure damages kidneys further — a vicious circle.
Advice
Reduce salt to less than 6 g a day. Control blood sugar. Avoid regular NSAIDs (ibuprofen). Take blood pressure medication as prescribed.
Tests in this chain