Turner’s family has not confirmed how she died. But Turner’s openness with her long-standing illness is a reminder for us all to keep an eye on our blood pressure, and to control it if we are to avoid complications.

That means high blood pressure increases the risk for kidney disease and once you have kidney disease, it further promotes high blood pressure. It’s a vicious cycle.

In some cases, it’s hard to determine which one came first.

Uncontrolled blood pressure exerts a lot of pressure on the kidneys. That leads to scarring and damage. If we looked inside the kidney, we’d see large areas of scarring. Once you have scarring, that tissue isn’t working properly and can start to leak protein into the urine. That then pushes up the risk of progressive kidney disease, leading to kidney failure, heart disease, and premature death.

The kidney itself is integral in maintaining blood pressure. Kidneys obviously maintain fluid balance by passing urine, but they also have important hormonal jobs vital to maintaining blood pressure.

Often a person with high blood pressure has no symptoms. There are times, in extreme cases, when people may get headaches or a feeling of thumping in the head. But their first sign may be a stroke or heart attack or some other major complication. That’s why checking blood pressure on a regular basis is smart.

For kidney disease, you can lose up to 90 percent of kidney function before symptoms develop. They can be clinically silent right up until kidney failure. When symptoms do arrive, they can be very vague—things like poor concentration or feeling tired.

Often people just put it down to winter, being busy, or getting older.

These have all been shown to protect the kidneys, as opposed to just treating symptoms. They slow the progression of the disease and have shifted the paradigm to kidney preservation.

Eat a nutrient-dense diet, including fresh, whole foods that are in season, and avoid ultra-processed food and sugar. This approach will help to control blood pressure and protect the kidneys.

Do all the usual things—get good sleep, maintain an active lifestyle, and manage your stress. If you have a family history of kidney disease, that may prompt you to get checked.

While a kidney transplant improves quality of life and can extend a person’s life, it’s important to remember that high blood pressure can still persist and often requires ongoing treatment.