Cynthia Allison's Story
 
CYNTHIA: 

There's no warning sign, I was never sick. 
You know, I worked a 16-hour day and could just go on and on.
And then one Sunday, I was at church, and then, had my blood pressure taken.
And there, I was led to go to a local hospital, where they discovered I had kidney failure.
And I'm like, how? And they said, high blood pressure. And I'm like, why didn't someone tell me? 

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney failure.

CYNTHIA: 

Over a 20-year period of time I had high blood pressure - through pregnancy. 
And over a period of time I didn't take my medication or see my doctor regularly.
And I wish someone would have told me high blood pressure causes kidney failure.
Sometimes we are in health fairs and we counsel a lot of people.
And I say, have you had your blood pressure tested or your urine tested?
Or do any family members in your family have kidney failure?

Having a mother, father, sister, or brother with kidney failure also increases your risk.

CYNTHIA: 

Yeah, my mother. Well, you are at risk.
They're like, why? Because it's a family history thing.
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure, talk to your doctor and get tested for kidney disease. 
It can happen to you, but you do not have to let it happen to you. 

For more information please call toll free 1-866-4-KIDNEY or visit www.nkdep.nih.gov

CYNTHIA: 

You don't have to lose your kidneys.