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Journalism of Courage
Our bodies work in mysterious ways. After being fascinated by many aspects of it, we recently learned yet another thing about it: that most people with kidney disease do not die from kidney failure — they die from heart disease. But what’s the connection? Intrigued, we asked experts.
Dr Puneet Bhuwania, consultant nephrologist and transplant physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, said that while it is believed that there is a connection between kidney and heart health, there may not be enough cases to substantiate a direct link.
“It is believed that heart disease is the most common cause of death for people known to have kidney disease, along with those who are on dialysis. This may happen as kidney disease can damage the kidneys, making it difficult for them to filter blood and causing a buildup of waste in the body. This can further stress the heart and increase one’s risk for heart disease,” explained Dr Bhuwania.
He added that many complications of kidney disease “increase the incidences of heart disease or lead to serious heart problems,” such as high blood pressure. “One can get coronary heart disease, heart attack (the blood flow to the heart is blocked), and atrial fibrillation (AF), a common type of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia),” said Dr Bhuwania.
Dr Bhuwania noted that he hasn’t seen such cases yet, which confirms this claim of those with kidney disease dying due to heart problems.
“It is not possible to say whether people with kidney disease are dying due to heart attack instead of kidney failure. It will require extensive research and follow-up of the patients. However, people with kidney disease will have to take the utmost care of themselves and keep their blood pressure in control, which can prevent heart disease,” said Dr Bhuwania.
However, Dr Sanjeev Gulati, principal director, nephrology and kidney transplant, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj suggested that research shows that 50-70 per cent of CKD (chronic kidney disease) patients have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a major cause of death among this population. “CKD is often diagnosed late, particularly in countries where awareness and screening are limited because it is a silent disease in its early stages,” said Dr Gulati.
Dr Gulati stressed that the cardiovascular burden persists. “Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in CKD patients, as many neglect regular heart screenings despite the high risk. The combination of CKD and untreated heart disease is deadly, even though patients may not die directly from kidney failure,” said Dr Gulati.
People with kidney disease should also go for regular check-ups and follow-ups with the doctor to know their health status. “Don’t ignore symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Stay vigilant when it comes to your health,” said Dr Bhuwania.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
