Kidney Function May Predict Risk Of Heart Disease

New findings published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology show that kidney disease might be a good indicator of heart disease. 

An extensive review of 24 studies that involved nearly 674,000 participants measured kidney function, showing how it could be a better indicator of cardiovascular disease than a test for cholesterol or blood pressure, alone.

"Cholesterol levels and blood pressure tests are good indicators of cardiovascular risk, but they are not perfect. This study tells us we could do even better with information that often times we are already collecting," said lead author Dr. Kunihiro Matsushita, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in a news release.

For the study, the authors measured the waste product creatinine in the blood and the protein albumin in the urine, known as albuminuria--both which are commonly used to signal lagging kidney function.

Kidney function is determined in the creatinine test by finding out if the creatinine level is between 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL. If the kidneys are not working proplerly, the level is higher than 1.2 mg/dL. On the other hand, the albumin test is completed to observe if the body is taking in enough protein.

The findings are then used in conjuction with glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which is also observed in order to find out how the kidneys are filtering, according to The Chicago Tribune. 

While eGFR levels were a good indicator of risk factor, particularly for future heart disease and stroke, high albuminuria levels proved to be an even better indicator than cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking history.

While the link is not entirely understood at this time, researchers said they believe that it may have something to do with fluid overload and poorly working kidneys. However, more studies will be needed.

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