What are the most prominent risk factors that increase the chances of developing chronic kidney disease?

The most prominent risk factors that increase the chances of developing chronic kidney disease include health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. A family history of kidney disease also increases this risk. The risk of developing chronic kidney disease increases with age, and the longer you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease, the higher the likelihood of the disease developing.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure: The Main Causes

Both diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney damage leading to chronic kidney disease. This damage develops slowly over many years. When kidneys cannot filter blood properly due to this damage, waste and excess fluids accumulate in the body, which may cause other health problems.

To reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease or slow its progression, it is essential to manage blood sugar levels within the target range if you have diabetes, and to keep blood pressure within the levels recommended by your healthcare provider.

Additional Risk Factors and Management

In addition to diabetes and high blood pressure, other risk factors include cardiovascular disease and a family history of kidney disease. The likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease increases with age. Certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, may also be more susceptible to advanced kidney disease, including kidney failure, due in part to higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure among them.

Weight management if you are overweight or obese, and following healthy lifestyle habits such as eating healthy food and engaging in regular physical activity, can help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease and prevent or delay kidney failure.

Importance of Early Screening and Preventive Steps

Because chronic kidney disease often develops slowly and does not show symptoms in its early stages, regular blood and urine tests are the only way to determine if you have it. If you are at risk for chronic kidney disease, it is important to undergo the necessary screenings and take preventive steps.

Medications, such as ACE inhibitors, can help treat kidney problems by lowering blood pressure and reducing strain on the heart, and they may contribute to preventing the worsening of kidney damage, especially in patients with diabetes.

For more information on this disease, you can visit Chronic Kidney Disease: Silent Progression and How to Slow It (Arabic).

Medical references

• Chronic Kidney Disease
• What Is Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults?
• ACE inhibitors