Cardiovascular Disease

Cardio Vascular Disease • Diabetes • Hypertension

Cardiovascular (or heart) disease is common in people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Some factors that contribute to kidney disease, like diabetes and high blood pressure, can add to your risk of heart disease.

If you suspect you might have undiagnosed cardiovascular disease, speak to your physician immediately.

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the term used to describe any conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels (your vascular system). Your heart and blood vessels supply your brain with oxygen. An interruption in this supply of oxygen to your brain can cause extensive damage or death. Many chronic kidney disease patients suffer from heart disease, which is a type of CVD.

Heart disease is a general term to describe any cardiovascular disease that affects the heart or the blood vessels in the heart.

Types of heart disease:

Coronary artery disease: This disease affects the arteries that supply your heart muscle with blood. If they get blocked, interrupting blood flow to the heart,  you can suffer a heart attack.

Heart attack: A heart attack occurs when your coronary artery, which carries blood and oxygen to one section of the heart muscle, is blocked. Without oxygen, this portion of the heart muscle begins to die. There is a feeling of pain or pressure in the chest. The portion of the dead muscle is later replaced by scar tissue.

Heart failure: This occurs when your heart is unable to pump enough blood to keep functioning.

High blood pressure: High blood pressure (or hypertension) is blood being forced through your arteries at increased pressure. Too much pressure can lead to a stroke,a heart attack or chest pain (angina). People with hypertension are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Certain complications can develop from chronic kidney disease.

Anemia: Your kidneys manufacture a hormone called erythropoietin, which tells the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. If you have loss of kidney function, you may not produce enough erythropoietin. Your kidneys will then produce less red blood cells, leading to anemia. Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin which helps move oxygen through your body. If you have fewer red blood cells, your heart may not get enough oxygen. This could put you at risk for a heart attack.

High blood pressure: The kidneys make renin, an enzyme that helps control blood pressure. If you have CKD, your kidneys may release too much renin. This can lead to high blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure can be caused by diabetes, another leading contributor to CKD. This is because diabetics may have too much sugar in their blood, which can weaken the vessels that send blood to the heart.

Treating cardiovascular disease in people with kidney disease

You will feel better if you manage your cardiovascular health through nutrition and exercise. Your doctor might prescribe medication to treat your hypertension and diabetes. If you smoke, ask your doctor for help quitting. Smoking can increase your chances of developing heart disease considerably. For information on quitting smoking, click here.