Living kidney donation offers a life-changing opportunity for individuals facing kidney failure. This process involves a healthy person donating one of their two kidneys to someone whose kidneys are no longer functioning. Since a person only needs one kidney to live a healthy life, this act provides numerous advantages for the recipient, including better organ function and a more predictable transplant timeline. Many potential donors wonder if certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, affect their eligibility.
High Blood Pressure and Donor Eligibility
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a significant factor in determining eligibility for living kidney donation. While uncontrolled or severe hypertension generally disqualifies a potential donor, individuals with well-managed high blood pressure may still be considered. Transplant centers carefully assess the duration and severity of the condition, as well as any signs of associated organ damage. For instance, evidence of damage to the heart, kidneys, or blood vessels in the eyes would lead to disqualification.
Many transplant programs consider individuals with controlled hypertension, defined as blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg, who are managing their condition with one or two medications. Age also plays a role, with some centers accepting donors over 40 if their blood pressure is well-controlled. The decision to approve a donor with hypertension is individualized, taking into account their overall health profile and the specific criteria of the transplant program.
The Comprehensive Donor Evaluation
Becoming a living kidney donor involves a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation to ensure the safety of both the donor and recipient. This multi-faceted screening assesses a potential donor’s overall health. The evaluation begins with a thorough review of medical history and a physical examination.
Extensive laboratory tests are conducted, including blood and urine analyses, to check kidney function, electrolyte balance, and screen for infections. Imaging studies such as EKGs, chest x-rays, and CT scans provide detailed views of the heart, lungs, and kidneys. These help identify the healthier kidney for donation and rule out structural issues. A psychological evaluation assesses the donor’s motivation, emotional stability, and understanding of the donation process, ensuring an informed decision.
Understanding Potential Donor Risks
While living kidney donation is generally safe, potential donors should be aware of both short-term and long-term health risks. Short-term risks are primarily related to the surgical procedure, including pain, infection, blood clots, and potential reactions to anesthesia. The worldwide mortality rate for living kidney donors is very low, ranging from 0.03% to 0.06%.
In the long term, donors typically experience a 20% to 30% decrease in overall kidney function, as the remaining kidney compensates for the loss. There is a slightly increased risk of developing new-onset high blood pressure, protein in the urine, or diabetes years after donation, though these risks are generally low. For most donors, the lifetime risk of kidney failure is less than 1%, but rigorous pre-donation screening aims to minimize these risks.
Long-Term Donor Health and Follow-Up
After donating a kidney, ongoing medical monitoring is important for long-term health. Transplant centers typically follow living donors for at least two years post-donation, with scheduled visits at intervals such as 2 to 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. These follow-up appointments include regular checks of blood pressure, kidney function tests (like creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate), and urinalysis to screen for protein.
Beyond the two-year period, donors are encouraged to continue annual check-ups with their primary care physician. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important, including a balanced diet with moderate protein intake and limited salt, and adequate hydration. While generally no strict dietary restrictions exist, these habits support the health of the remaining kidney.