Take control of your kidney health

Over 3 million people in the UK have chronic kidney disease (CKD) but many of them are not aware of it as they have no symptoms. People who have diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease may be more at risk.

As the UK's leading kidney patient support charity, Kidney Care UK offers information, counselling and financial help to everyone affected by kidney disease. Our expert advice will help you take care of your kidneys and help you understand your risk of developing CKD.

Protect your kidneys, take care of your heart

  • Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nearly one in five people with diabetes will need to be treated for CKD, but the good news is there’s a lot you can do to lower your risk.
  • Your heart and kidneys are strongly connected – problems with your heart can put pressure on your kidneys, and if your kidneys are not working properly, that’s likely to affect your heart.
  • As many as 5 million UK adults have undiagnosed high blood pressure, which can damage your kidneys, but there are lots of ways to manage your blood pressure and reduce your risk of CKD.

This webpage has been developed as part of a Patient Advocacy Group Partnership between Kidney Care UK and AstraZeneca UK Limited where both parties have significantly contributed to the funding, creation, review and development.

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FREE Kidney Health Checker

Answer a few simple questions to find out if you are at risk of kidney disease and understand more about keeping your kidneys healthy. Knowing your risk can help your doctor diagnose you in the early stages if you do have CKD. This quiz was developed with financial support from AstraZeneca.

Take 5 minutes to help protect your kidneys now

Support our Bloody Amazing Kidneys awareness campaign

  • Awareness, Campaign

    Kidney Care UK's new Bloody Amazing Kidneys awareness campaign

    Our new Bloody Amazing Kidneys campaign aims to help identify those most at risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), and encourage them to be tested.

  • #BloodyAmazingKidneys: 5 ways to support our campaign

    Until they are diagnosed, many kidney patients don't know anything about their kidneys. With your support, we want to start a national conversation about the importance of kidney health.

  • Resources to help support our CKD awareness campaign

    Downloadable images and accompanying text options for you to use on social media to support our #BloodyAmazingKidneys campaign and help those who may be at risk of CKD to be identified and supported.

  • 180 litres

    The hardest working organs in the body, kidneys filter around 180 litres of blood 40 times in every 24 hours. Kidneys also produce urine by removing harmful waste products from the body.
  • 1 in 10 people

    Kidney disease is common, can affect anyone, and there is no cure. About 1 in 10 people has some form of CKD but in the early stages of the disease there are no symptoms.
  • 45,000 deaths

    Every day around 20 people in the UK develop kidney failure. Without dialysis or a transplant, kidney failure is fatal. There are 40-45,000 premature deaths every year due to chronic kidney disease.

Keeping your kidneys safe: expert advice and tips

  • Kidney health myths debunked

    Get the facts about the causes, symptoms and treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

  • 10 common habits that keep your kidneys safe

    From staying hydrated to making time for rest, we share the steps to kidney health.

  • Choose a balanced diet for kidney health

    A kidney-friendly diet may help you control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Kidney health

Discussing your kidney health with your GP or doctor

Are you worried about your kidney health? Has the kidney health quiz suggested you visit your GP to find out if they would recommend a screening test? We offer advice to help you talk about your concerns when you visit your GP.
Talking to your GP about your kidneys