What are the symptoms of kidney damage?
Patient: I have been a diabetic for just over 50 years. I have had signs of early kidney damage. Currently, I have had symptoms such as a heat-like, heavyish sensation in the middle of my chest along with difficulty breathing. I also have more of a lack of energy than normal and find it difficult to go up stairs without my heart rate increasing. I have begun checking my BP and over the past 3-4 days, the highest it has been was 143/ forty-something (don t have my list by the comupter). However most of the time the top reading has been under 115 and the lower in the 40-60 range. Could these symptoms be heart-related? My next appointment is not until spring. Doctor: Hi,Thanks for writing in.If your age is above 70 years then an upper limit of systolic blood pressure of 150 mm Hg is acceptable. This is because the blood pressure increases with age and at elderly age group there is a higher normal range of blood pressure.The symptoms of kidney damage includes the following(i) Swelling of limbs and facial puffiness(ii) Foamy urine due to proteinuriaThis is supplemented by doing kidney function tests like serum creatinine which shows a higher than normal level. Ultrasound scan of kidneys shows increased parenchymal echotexture. In urine test routine urinalysis shows proteinuria and 24 hours urine will show protein excretion above normal.Heart conditions also cause heaviness in the chest with difficulty to breathe. Lung infections are to be ruled out. Please do not worry.