What are the serious consequences of high uric acid?

Jul 07, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Tiesheng

Introduction

If high uric acid levels are not controlled over a long period, they generally can lead to gouty arthritis, uric acid nephropathy, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and ocular lesions. Elevated uric acid levels cause urate crystals to deposit in the joints, triggering acute inflammation. Patients experience severe joint pain, redness, swelling, and warmth, commonly affecting areas such as the big toe and ankle. These episodes impair mobility and may gradually become more frequent, potentially leading to joint deformities.

If high uric acid levels are not controlled for a long time, they generally can trigger gouty arthritis, uric acid nephropathy, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and eye complications. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Gouty Arthritis: Elevated uric acid levels cause urate crystals to deposit in the joints, triggering acute inflammation. Patients may experience severe joint pain, redness, swelling, and warmth, commonly affecting areas such as the big toe and ankle. These episodes can impair mobility and become increasingly frequent over time, potentially leading to joint deformities.

2. Uric Acid Nephropathy: Urate crystal deposition in the kidneys can damage renal tissues. Initially, it may manifest as increased nighttime urination and microalbuminuria. Without intervention, it can progress to chronic nephritis, leading to declining kidney function and potentially causing uremia in severe cases.

3. Atherosclerosis: High uric acid levels can damage vascular endothelium and promote lipid oxidation, accelerating atherosclerosis. This increases the risk of coronary artery disease, cerebral infarction, and other conditions. Patients may experience symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, and dizziness; in severe cases, these complications can be life-threatening.

4. Metabolic Syndrome: Elevated uric acid levels often coexist with metabolic abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension. It can impair insulin sensitivity, exacerbate glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, creating a vicious cycle that increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes.

5. Eye Complications: Urate crystals may deposit in ocular tissues, causing inflammation. Patients may experience symptoms such as red eyes, eye pain, and vision loss. Severe cases can damage ocular structures, resulting in permanent visual impairment.

Individuals with high uric acid levels should limit high-purine foods, quit smoking, restrict alcohol consumption, drink more than 2000 milliliters of water daily, maintain regular physical activity to control weight, monitor uric acid levels regularly, and take medications as directed by a physician when necessary to reduce disease risks.

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What does it mean if blood uric acid levels are high?

In general, elevated blood uric acid levels may be caused by excessive intake of high-purine foods, excessive alcohol consumption, hyperuricemia, gout, chronic kidney disease, or other factors. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain a regular作息 (routine), avoid overexertion, and engage in low-intensity exercises such as walking or jogging to improve overall physical health.

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High Uric Acid: Which Foods Should Be Avoided?

Under normal circumstances, there are no absolute dietary restrictions for individuals with high uric acid levels. However, it is not recommended to consume foods such as anchovies, pork kidneys, concentrated meat broths, dried scallops, and yellow rice wine. Detailed analysis is as follows: Additionally, individuals with high uric acid should also try to avoid eating sardines, hot pot broth, and similar foods. At the same time, they should pay attention to drinking plenty of plain water in daily life.

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What foods should not be consumed with high uric acid levels?

Under normal circumstances, individuals with high uric acid levels are advised not to consume foods such as sardines, goose liver, strong meat broths, anchovies, and beer. Sardines are high in purines, which are metabolized into uric acid in the human body. Excessive intake of sardines by individuals with high uric acid levels can significantly increase uric acid production, exceeding the excretion capacity of the kidneys and potentially leading to uric acid accumulation in the body.

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What should not be eaten when uric acid levels are high?

Under normal circumstances, individuals with high uric acid levels should avoid consuming foods such as goose liver, pork rib soup, sardines, goose meat, and beer. They should also avoid self-administering medications including aspirin enteric-coated tablets, hydrochlorothiazide tablets, nifedipine sustained-release tablets (II), pyrazinamide tablets, and levodopa tablets, to prevent adverse effects on uric acid levels. A detailed analysis is as follows: