Whether your doctor warned you about your high blood pressure at your last visit or you tested it yourself at a pharmacy, it should be taken seriously. According to the Mayo Clinic, “The higher your blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.”

Barry White battled chronic high blood pressure, which caused kidney failure.

When the blood vessels become damaged, the nephrons that filter your blood don’t receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function well reports the American Heart Association. This is why high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is the second leading cause of kidney failure. Over time, mismanaged high blood pressure can cause arteries around the kidneys to narrow, weaken or harden. These damaged arteries are not able to deliver enough blood to the kidney tissue.

Damaged kidney arteries do not filter blood well

When the arteries become damaged, the nephrons do not receive the essential oxygen and nutrients — and the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood and regulate the fluid, hormones, acids, and salts in the body.

Damaged kidneys fail to regulate blood pressure.

Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called aldosterone to help the body regulate blood pressure. Kidney damage and mismanaged high blood pressure each contribute to a negative spiral. As more arteries become blocked and stop functioning, the kidneys eventually fail.

“Doctors confirmed that Barry White had a history of hypertension [high blood pressure], which led to a decline of kidney function,” a statement from Island Def Jam Music Group said.

In a career spanning 30 years, the 58-year-old Barry White has sold 100 million albums. He has twice been admitted to hospital in recent years suffering from hypertension – once in 1995 and again in 1998.