Hypertension or high blood pressure is usually treatable to avoid a variety of health problems, but new research from the Medical University of Vienna provides greater reason to treat hypertension as early as possible. Results show high blood pressure can lead to abnormal renal filtering cells even without other preexisting conditions such as diabetes. Authors of the article in the journal Hypertension say their findings likely represent the first microscopically visible step toward impaired kidney function. They say early detection and treatment could help slow the progression of kidney disease and prevent long-term damage. There is another message from the study beyond early diagnosis of high blood pressure. That is consistent treatment may be the key to kidney health.