Two Numbers That Protect Kidneys

Your kidneys clean waste and extra fluid out of your blood. Each kidney has about one million tiny filters, called nephrons. Over time, high blood sugar can harm these filters.

Keeping blood sugar in your target range can lower the risk of kidney damage. Your doctor sets that range.

A kidney is drawn cut open with a sieve inside. Blood flows in through a red tube, protein stays in the sieve, and water and waste drip down a tube into a jar below, with a blood sugar bar beside it. High blood sugar wears torn holes in the mesh and protein slips into the jar. With blood sugar kept in range, a shield guards the filter.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your blood vessel walls. High blood pressure adds strain to the kidneys' tiny filters over time. Picture a garden hose with the water turned up too high. Keeping blood pressure in your target range can ease that strain.

Blood sugar and blood pressure are the two main drivers of kidney risk. They also affect each other.

When one number improves, the other often improves too. So steady care for one can help the other.

Your doctor sets personal targets for both, based on your age and health.

Key takeaways

• Blood sugar in your target range can lower the risk of kidney damage.
• Blood pressure in your target range can ease strain on kidney filters.
• The two numbers affect each other, so improving one can help the other.

Try it

Write down your most recent blood sugar and blood pressure readings, with the date and time of each. Bring them to your next visit and ask your care team what your targets should be.