Helping prevent kidney disease in Sacramento: American Kidney Fund to provide free blood pressure screenings at Total Health & Fitness Expo

High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 8, 2019)–Attendees at this weekend's annual Total Health & Fitness Expo can learn about the link between high blood pressure and kidney disease and receive a free blood pressure screening at the American Kidney Fund's (AKF) booth (#073 and #074 at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds). High blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time and is the second-leading cause of kidney failure.

More than 30 million Americans have kidney disease but the vast majority don't know it because it typically has no symptoms until the late stages. Because high blood pressure accounts for about 25 percent of all cases of kidney disease, identifying and controlling high blood pressure can help prevent kidney disease or slow down its progression. High blood pressure can also be a symptom of kidney disease because healthy kidneys help the body regulate blood pressure.

The blood pressure screening at the Total Health & Fitness Expo is part of AKF's nationwide Know Your Kidneys™ kidney disease prevention program. During February — American Heart Month — AKF is highlighting the strong relationship between kidney disease and heart health. Kidney disease puts stress on the entire cardiovascular system, which can ultimately lead to heart failure. Heart disease is the top cause of death for dialysis patients.

The Total Health & Fitness Expo takes place February 9 and 10 at the Cal Expo fairgrounds in Buildings A and B. AKF will be screening for blood pressure at booths #073 and #074 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday.