Establishing the Link Between Heart Failure and Kidney Failure

Heart disease refers to any medical condition that affects the cardiovascular system. It occurs when the heart muscles are unable to pump blood as much as required, leading to deprivation of oxygen in the other organs, including the kidneys, resulting in several health complications.

Kidney disease occurs when the organ’s ability to purify the blood of waste products and fluids is affected. This results in dangerous levels of toxins inside the body that may skew the blood’s chemical balance and lead to heart and kidney failure. Read on to learn more about the link between kidney disease and heart failure.

The Link Between Heart Failure and Kidney Failure Explained

The heart and kidneys are closely linked and work together to keep you healthy. If one is affected, the other will be impacted as well. Keeping your heart in good condition also benefits the kidneys and vice versa. The patient who is suffering from chronic kidney disease are at higher risk of having heart disease, approximately 44% of patients on dialysis suffer from heart failure.

Kidney damage due to heart failure can be caused by subsequent hormonal changes in the body or decreased blood supply that can adversely impact the functioning of the kidneys.

Similarly, during kidney malfunction, the increased stress on the heart to pump harder for the kidneys to receive adequate blood supply may lead to heart disease. Frequent high blood pressure among chronic kidney disease patients may be another significant factor causing heart failure.

Common Symptoms and Risk Factors of Heart Failure

The common symptoms of heart failure are:

• Constant and severe shortness of breath
• Tiredness and weakness
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Persistent cough with white or pink mucus along with blood spots
• Swelling in stomach, legs, ankles, and feet
• Nausea
• Lack of appetite
• Abrupt weight gain
• Memory loss
• Chest pain

High-risk factors for heart failure are:

• Obesity
• Unhealthy diet
• Lack of physical activity
• Passive smoking
• Heredity

However, you may be at a higher risk of heart failure if you suffer from certain diseases such as:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Kidney dysfunction
• Anemia

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Heart Disease and Kidney Disease

Making certain lifestyle changes can keep your heart and kidneys healthy and allow you to lead a fuller and healthier life. You can do so by adopting the following changes:

• Follow a low-sodium diet
• Exercise regularly
• Control your weight and blood sugar
• Avoid smoking
• Reduce stress levels
• Take proper medication

Treatment Options for Heart Disease and Kidney Disease

Treatments for kidney disease and heart failure include keeping other factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, and anemia in check that otherwise may aggravate the health of your heart and kidney. Your physician may prescribe the following medications:

• Diuretics: Reduces blood pressure and relieves the kidney of excess water and salt
• Ace Inhibitors: Lowers the blood pressure by widening the blood vessels and improving blood flow
• Beta-Blockers: Controls blood pressure by blocking the hormone adrenaline

Get Faster Relief for Your Heart and Kidney Disease Symptoms at NAVC

If your heart disease or kidney disease is detected at an initial stage, with regular monitoring and suitable treatment, your chances of recovery are high. If you are at a high risk of heart or kidney failure, schedule an appointment with us at North Atlanta Vascular Clinic. Our trained and experienced specialists have been offering the highest standards of kidney dialysis for over a decade. Our clinics have state-of-the-art facilities that allow us to provide superior diagnostic and treatment options for your specific condition.

For more details on the treatments and procedures that we offer, contact us today.

Content Source: CJASN