10 Scleroderma Symptoms
Symptom #6: High Blood Pressure
Scleroderma can cause systemic arterial hypertension by affecting the kidneys. From the onset of the disease, patients with scleroderma may develop silent blood vessel changes in the kidneys (similar to those of fingers and lungs). In a minority of patients, some unknown event triggers blood vessel spasms in the kidneys that produce additional damage. This, in turn, triggers an aggressive elevation of blood pressure. This manifestation is known as scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). SRC is characterized by a rapid onset of significant high blood pressure, which worsens rapidly and may lead to more kidney damage.
The best approach for patients with scleroderma that are at high risk for SRC (i.e. early diffuse scleroderma), is to recognize it early by frequent monitoring of blood pressure. Once high blood pressure is recognized, it should be treated promptly to prevent kidney injury.
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