It’s not unusual for someone with kidney cancer to have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. So why do these two conditions often appear together? Understanding the connection can help you take better care of your health.

The connection between kidney cancer and high blood pressure goes both ways. Hypertension can raise your risk of developing kidney cancer, and kidney cancer can cause your blood pressure to go up. In this article, we’ll explain how the two are related and what it means for your overall health.

Hypertension Increases the Risk of Kidney Cancer

Research shows that having high blood pressure can make you more likely to develop kidney cancer, specifically renal cell carcinoma (RCC), down the road. The higher your blood pressure is, the greater this risk is.

How does hypertension increase the risk of RCC? High blood pressure can damage the kidneys by causing low oxygen levels in the kidney tissue, blood vessel problems, and inflammation, which can lead to changes that help kidney cancer grow.

Sometimes, people who have lived with severe hypertension for a long time may develop long-term kidney disease, which is also a risk factor for RCC.

Other Risk Factors for Kidney Cancer

Most people with hypertension will never develop kidney cancer. So, who has an even higher risk of RCC? According to a study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, women with high blood pressure were found to have a higher risk of kidney cancer than men. However, the difference became smaller after researchers took other health factors — like age, smoking, and obesity — into account. The study also found that very high blood pressure may raise the risk of kidney cancer even more in people with obesity.

High blood pressure isn’t the only risk factor for kidney cancer. Other major risk factors for kidney cancer include:

• Cigarette smoking
• Family history
• Genetic syndromes like von Hippel-Lindau disease
• Exposure to certain chemicals

Some risk factors can’t be changed, like your age, sex, and ethnicity. The good news is that high blood pressure is a modifiable risk factor, which means that keeping your blood pressure under control can help lower your risk of developing kidney cancer.

Kidney Cancer Increases the Risk of Hypertension

The relationship between high blood pressure and kidney cancer is a two-way street. Kidney cancer itself often causes high blood pressure. If you’re living with kidney cancer and have found that you now have hypertension, it’s important to treat your blood pressure. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart disease and stroke. Several different factors related to kidney cancer can contribute to high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure After Nephrectomy

A nephrectomy, which is surgery that removes part or all of a kidney, is a common treatment for kidney cancer. Research shows that many people who undergo a nephrectomy have new or worsening high blood pressure after surgery.

One study in France found that 1 in 5 people developed new-onset hypertension within six months of a nephrectomy. In this study, the risk was the same for people who had part of a kidney removed and people who had an entire kidney removed.

Why does high blood pressure sometimes develop after a kidney is removed? The kidney is an important organ that manages the body’s fluids and regulates blood pressure. When one kidney is gone, the other has to work harder. This strain can often lead to hypertension.

If you’ve had a nephrectomy, you’ll need to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Lifestyle changes and medications can help manage your blood pressure if you develop hypertension.

High Blood Pressure From Paraneoplastic Syndrome

Sometimes, kidney cancer can lead to something called a paraneoplastic syndrome. A paraneoplastic syndrome is a rare group of symptoms that affect different parts of the body and are caused by certain types of cancer.

One type of paraneoplastic syndrome in kidney cancer can cause the body to produce too many hormones that lead to increased blood pressure. For example, kidney tumors may sometimes force the kidney to make extra renin, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure. If your body has too much renin, it can cause very high blood pressure.

Symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes can be mild and easy to miss. Pay attention to any new changes in your body. Tell your doctor if something feels different from your usual health, even if it seems minor.

High Blood Pressure From Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapies are newer treatment options for kidney cancer. They bind to specific proteins inside cancer cells without harming most normal cells, unlike chemotherapy. Some targeted therapies used for kidney cancer, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, can cause high blood pressure as a side effect.

These medications can affect the dilation (opening) and constriction (squeezing) of blood vessels. Changes to these processes can cause increased blood pressure in up to 40 percent of people. Doctors often monitor blood pressure closely in people taking these treatments. They may even prescribe blood pressure medications to help keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

If you’re on targeted therapy and notice symptoms of high blood pressure, like headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, tell your doctor right away. Getting treated early can help prevent complications.

Treating Kidney Cancer and High Blood Pressure

If you have both kidney cancer and elevated blood pressure, it’s key to work with your care team. Managing both conditions can improve your quality of life and prevent additional complications, like a stroke or heart attack.

Depending on your overall health, your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatment. This may include:

• Eating a low-sodium, heart-healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Staying physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Taking blood pressure medications to control your blood pressure
• Monitoring your blood pressure at home
• Adjusting cancer treatments if necessary

Don’t be afraid to speak up if you have concerns about your blood pressure or treatment plan. Small changes can make a big difference in your quality of life. Your doctors can help you find strategies that fit your needs and situation.

Reach Out for Help

Managing kidney cancer is hard enough, and having high blood pressure on top of it can be overwhelming. Connect with others through a support group, such as MyKidneyCancerTeam, so you don’t need to go on this journey alone.

Find Your Team

On MyKidneyCancerTeam, the social network for people with kidney cancer and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with kidney cancer.

Did you have high blood pressure before your kidney cancer diagnosis? How do you and your doctor treat high blood pressure with kidney cancer? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.