Press release
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.
About the American Kidney Fund
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of 1 in 7 Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation’s top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar.
For more information, please visit KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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