Renal function and target organ damage in hypertension.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently observed in patients with arterial hypertension. The same factors that promote the appearance and progression of atherosclerosis can also promote the development of CKD. Two parameters are usually measured to estimate alterations in renal function, the presence of albuminuria, and the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Microalbuminuria and a decreased estimated GFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) are both accompanied by a significant increase in cardiovascular (CV) risk. Chronic kidney disease can develop all over the cardiorenal continuum and its presence in hypertensive patients with already developed CV disease contributes to a further increase in the development of events and death. Renal protection will in turn obtain CV protection and the treatment to be used is similar to that employed to prevent or to treat established CV disease.