Protect your kidneys, take care of your heart
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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.
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 chronic kidney disease (CKD) if you have diabetes, cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.
Kidney basics
Understand how your kidneys help to keep you healthy, what you need to know to monitor your kidney health and how your family history can affect your risk of developing kidney disease.
Prevention
In its early stages, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is ‘silent’ and doesn’t usually cause symptoms, but as it gets more advanced, there are some signs you may notice.
Diagnosis and treatment
If your GP suspects you may be at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), they’ll carry out some tests. We explain what the tests involve, what they look for and what the results mean.
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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
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Kidney health myths debunked
Get the facts about the causes, symptoms and treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
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10 common habits that keep your kidneys safe
From staying hydrated to making time for rest, we share the steps to kidney health.
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Choose a balanced diet for kidney health
A kidney-friendly diet may help you control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Understanding the risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Risk factors increase your risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop kidney problems in the future.
Discussing your kidney health with your GP or doctor
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.
GB-56803 July 2024
