Media Release

'Keep the Pressure Down' Campaign Targets High Blood Pressure


	1 May 2009

'Make A Noise About The Silent Killer'
Kidney Health Week 24 -30 May 2009

'Make A Noise About The Silent Killer' is the key message of Kidney Health Week this year as Kidney Health Australia moves to increase awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease which affects some two million Australians who may not even know they have the disease.

Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said, with one in three Australians at risk of contracting some form of Chronic Kidney Disease, the future impact of kidney disease on the Australian community and Australia's health budget without a prevention strategy in place, will be significant.

"Chronic Kidney Disease is known as 'The Silent Killer' as people can lose up to 90% of kidney function with no warning signs or symptoms, requiring life saving dialysis within weeks of diagnosis.

"Under the banner of 'Keep the Pressure Down' Kidney Health Australia will be focusing on managing blood pressure to target levels, a key factor in managing Chronic Kidney Disease."

High blood pressure affects 1 in 4 Australians (50% do not have blood pressure managed to target levels).

Kidney Health Week will also target obesity which is a major risk factor for kidney disease. More than 2.6 million adult Australians are considered to be obese.

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said the big issue is that if detected early, Chronic Kidney Disease is treatable and patients may never have to undertake the extreme treatment of going onto dialysis three times a week when their kidneys fail.

2,311 people started kidney replacement therapy (dialysis or transplant) in 2007.

The number of people on dialysis increased by 4% from 2006 to 2007, and has averaged a 6% growth rate per year over the past decade.

A total of 9,642 people were receiving dialysis treatment at the end of 2007.

Kidney Health - What you should know....
You can lose most of your kidney function before feeling sick - and by then it's too late. There is no cure. Dialysis or a transplant are the only options once your kidneys fail.

Kidney Disease: Are you one in three at increased risk of kidney disease?
Take the following test. Tick the statements that apply to you:

I have high blood pressure

I have diabetes

I am over 50 years of age

I have a family history of kidney disease

I smoke

I am obese

I am of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

Kidney Health Week 24 May-30 May 2009

Kidney Health Week Poster - pdf format

Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO, Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith, National Media Communications, Kidney Health Australia (03) 9818 5700,
Mobile: 0417 329 201