Uric acid is best known for gout, but elevated levels are also associated with hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk. Research suggests that uric acid may influence blood pressure through oxidative stress, reduced nitric oxide, renin-angiotensin activation, renal vasoconstriction, and altered sodium handling. Learn how uric acid, kidney function, and hypertension may form a self-reinforcing cycle—and why lowering uric acid is not always the same as lowerin