Do not start, stop, or change any medicine on your own. Review all prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, pain relievers, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements with your clinician or transplant team. Some products can affect blood pressure, kidney function, bleeding risk, or transplant medicines. Your pharmacist can also be an important part of your care team.

Ask for guidance tailored to your health needs about food choices, sodium, fluids, physical activity, sleep, smoking cessation, weight changes, diabetes management, and cholesterol. There is no one-size-fits-all plan—especially for people with liver disease, kidney disease, fluid retention, or transplant care. Your team can help you choose safe, realistic next steps.

You may ask: “What is my blood pressure goal?” “How are my kidneys functioning?” “Could any of my medicines affect my blood pressure or kidneys?” “Should I see a kidney specialist?” and “What symptoms should make me call right away?” A caregiver can help record answers, maintain a medicine list, and share changes they notice.

Contact your medical or transplant team promptly for new or worsening swelling, a major change in urination, sudden weight gain, severe weakness, dizziness, or concerning blood pressure readings. Seek urgent or emergency care for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, sudden confusion, new trouble speaking, severe headache, or weakness on one side of the body. Call 911 for emergency symptoms.

High blood pressure can injure the small blood vessels that help the kidneys filter waste and extra fluid. Over time, this damage may reduce kidney function and contribute to chronic kidney disease. Because kidney disease can also raise blood pressure, the two conditions can create a harmful cycle. Regular blood pressure checks and kidney testing can help your care team find concerns early.

Liver disease, kidney function, fluid retention, diabetes, and medication decisions can affect one another. For transplant candidates and recipients, some long-term anti-rejection medicines may contribute to high blood pressure or kidney damage. Coordinated care among your liver, kidney, primary-care, and transplant teams helps ensure that treatment choices consider your whole health picture.

Your clinician may monitor a blood test called creatinine and use it to estimate kidney filtration (eGFR). They may also order urine testing to look for protein or blood, along with other bloodwork based on your needs. Ask what your results mean, whether they are changing over time, and when you should have them checked again.

Ask your healthcare team whether home monitoring is right for you and what readings should prompt a call. Use a validated upper-arm cuff when possible, follow the instructions for proper fit and positioning, and keep a log with the date, time, reading, and symptoms. Bring your monitor or log to appointments so your team can review it with you.