Chronic Kidney Disease: A Silent Threat
Most patients have no symptoms until late stages.
Dr. Marc Aubry
Internist
In simple terms
Chronic kidney disease affects 10% of adults globally and dramatically raises cardiovascular risk well before dialysis.
What you need to remember
- Late-stage care — Dietary adjustments (potassium, phosphate), anaemia treatment and preparation for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation).
- Cardiovascular focus — Most CKD patients die of cardiovascular events before reaching dialysis: cardiovascular prevention is as important as nephrology care.
Adults with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or family history. Simple blood (creatinine) and urine (albumin) tests suffice.
Slowing progression
- Strict blood pressure control
- RAAS inhibitors (ACE/ARB)
- SGLT2 inhibitors even in non-diabetics
- Smoking cessation
- Avoid nephrotoxic drugs (chronic NSAIDs)
Late-stage care
Dietary adjustments (potassium, phosphate), anaemia treatment and preparation for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation).
Cardiovascular focus
Most CKD patients die of cardiovascular events before reaching dialysis: cardiovascular prevention is as important as nephrology care.
Knowing your eGFR is as useful as knowing your blood pressure or cholesterol.
The words explained
Medical terms used above, in everyday language.
- Chronic
- A problem that lasts a long time, usually more than three months, and often comes back.
- Blood pressure
- The force of blood pushing against your artery walls. Too high, over years, damages the heart and vessels.
- Cholesterol
- A fatty substance in the blood. Too much of the 'bad' kind (LDL) can clog arteries.
- Cardiovascular
- Related to the heart and blood vessels.
- Prevention
- Steps taken before a problem starts, to make it less likely.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
- They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
- You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
- You already take medication and want to change anything about it.
This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Chronic Kidney Disease: A Silent Threat?
- Chronic kidney disease affects 10% of adults globally and dramatically raises cardiovascular risk well before dialysis.
- What are the main symptoms or signs of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Silent Threat?
- Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
- When should you see a doctor for Chronic Kidney Disease: A Silent Threat?
- See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.
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