A Kidney Problem Causing High Blood Pressure
Interestingly, certain cases of high blood pressure are caused by a kidney problem. The kidneys play a large role in determining what our blood pressure is. The kidneys have a complex system of hormones that affect blood pressure under certain circumstances.
The primary kidney problem that leads to high blood pressure is that of a blockage of blood flow to one or more kidneys as well as kidney diseases. In response to a lack of adequate blood flow, the kidneys release angiotensin into the blood that causes constriction of the blood vessels and an increased blood pressure. The adrenal cortex also releases aldosterone when angiotensin is released.
To understand the kidney problem more easily, you need to understand how angiotensin is made. It is made by a precursor molecule called angiotensinogen. This is an alpha-2-globulin that is released by the liver. It is a protein made from 453 amino acids. The molecule, angiotensin I, is made by the action of renin (made by the kidneys when blood pressure is perceived to be low) on the protein angiotensinogen. Angiotensin I is simply a precursor to angiotensin II.
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