Cardiovascular health and CKD

People with CKD have a higher risk of developing heart and blood vessel problems, even in the early stages of kidney disease.

In fact, you're more likely to have a heart attack or stroke if you have CKD, especially if you also live with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

How are CKD and heart health connected?

Your kidneys and heart work closely together. When your kidneys don’t filter blood as well as they should:

• Waste and fluid can build up, increasing blood pressure
• Your heart has to work harder to pump blood
• Changes in calcium and phosphate levels can affect blood vessels
• Inflammation in the body can damage both the heart and kidneys

This means looking after your kidneys can help protect your heart—and vice versa.

What increases the risk of heart problems with CKD?

Having CKD doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop heart problems, but it does raise the chances, especially if other risk factors are present. Some of these you can change, like diet or smoking. Others, like age or family history, are outside your control.

The important thing to remember is that small changes can still have a big impact. Understanding your personal risk can help you take the right steps to protect both your kidneys and your heart.

Common risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• A family history of heart disease
• Older age
• Inflammation caused by CKD itself

How can I reduce my risk?

Many of the steps you take to manage CKD will also protect your heart. These include:

• Keeping your blood pressure in target range: Your healthcare team will let you know your ideal range and how often to check it.
• Eating a heart-healthy diet: This means eating more fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and healthy fats—and less salt, processed food and sugary drinks.
• Staying active: Regular movement helps reduce blood pressure, support heart function, and slow kidney decline.
• Taking medicines as prescribed: This might include medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol or other heart-related issues.
• Stopping smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases strain on both your heart and kidneys.
• Attending all your check-ups: Your team will monitor blood pressure, kidney function, cholesterol and more.

What should I look out for?

Speak to your healthcare team if you notice:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Shortness of breath, especially during activity or at night
• Swelling in your legs or feet
• Irregular heartbeat
• Feeling dizzy or faint

These could be signs of changes in your heart health—and getting support early can make a big difference.