Programs and Services - KEEP/Prevention
What is KEEP?
Are You at Risk for a Silent Disease?
Blood Pressure Checks
What is KEEP?
KEEP is an acronym for the Kidney Early Evaluation Program. KEEP is a health screening program designed to identify individuals who are at an increased risk for kidney disease and encourage these individuals to seek further evaluation and follow-up from a physician. KEEP is a free program that focuses on "high risk" individuals– those with known diabetes and/or hypertension or who have first-degree relatives with hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney failure.
KEEP was originally developed by the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana in 1991. With the collaboration of the University of Indiana, this program developed into an effective tool for identifying and screening those who are "at risk" for developing kidney disease. During 1997, the National Kidney Foundation test piloted this program in 16 cities. The pilot was an incredible success. For the first time, there was a concerted effort at identifying and taking corrective action before risk factors had a chance to develop into renal disease. Because of these success stories, the NKFI is rolling out the KEEP screenings to actively affect the rising number of people who are diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease each year in Iowa.
Another component of the KEEP program is the valuable research that these screenings provide data for on both a national and state level. Each participant's information is compiled and analyzed by several physician teams. This research will give us a better understanding of the scope of renal diseases and how they effect the general population.
Are You at Risk for a Silent Disease?
This Simple Test Could Save Your Life
- I have high blood pressure.
- I have diabetes.
- I have a parent, grandparent, brother, or sister with high blood pressure.
- I have a parent, grandparent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
- I have a parent, grandparent, brother, or sister with chronic kidney failure.
If you said "yes" to any of these choices, you should take advantage of the free health screening program offered by the National Kidney Foundation of Iowa.
The National Kidney Foundation of Iowa's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) is designed to identify those at risk for kidney disease and is made possible by a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association. If you are 18 years old or older, have high blood pressure or diabetes, or have a family member with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney failure, you should call the National Kidney Foundation of Iowa.
Blood Pressure Checks
Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure is the force your blood puts on the walls of your blood vessels as your heart works. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and damage to the blood vessels. Blood pressure is measured using the Standardized Techniques for the Measurement of Blood Pressure method taught by the American Heart Association. Staff conducting the blood pressure measurements have been trained and certified in this procedure. The guidelines presented in the JNC V Report (Fifth Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) are used with the KEEP Study for classification of values and referral guidelines. The JNC V classifications are defined below:
Values and Classification
Systolic < 130 mm Hg Normal
Systolic = 130-139 mm Hg High Normal
Systolic = 140-209 mm Hg High
Systolic = 210 mm Hg + Extremely High (Emergency Level)
Diastolic < 85 mm Hg Normal
Diastolic = 85-89 mm Hg High Normal
Diastolic = 90-119 mm Hg Extremely High (Emergency Level)
