HEART disease is a common problem for people with kidney disease, said Health Ministry senior adviser and head of nephrology services Dr Ghazali Ahmad.
Those with kidney disease were at high risk of developing hardening of the arteries resulting in heart attacks, heart failure and strokes.
“Kidney disease somehow speeds up heart disease well before it has ravaged the kidneys. And perhaps not surprising, kidney patients may die of heart disease over a period of time,” said Dr Ghazali during the health screening conducted by the Hospital Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with this year’s World Kidney Day 2010 last Friday at The Mall.
He said kidney disease accelerated heart disease to the point before needing dialysis or transplantation.
“Hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease and heart disease,” said Dr Ghazali.
He added that 55% of patients in Malaysia who experienced kidney failure started of by having diabetes.
Over time, these changes will damage the filtering units in our kidneys and will slowly lose their function. Vital nutrients will be lost in the urine and waste products will start to collect in the blood, and if the kidney damage is left untreated, the kidneys may fail as a result.
“Kidney-failure patients needed to undergo costly haemodialysis treatment regularly until suitable kidneys are available,” said Dr Ghazali.
“As such. I advise the public to go for regular medical checks if they have signs of diabetes.”
Those with kidney disease were at high risk of developing hardening of the arteries resulting in heart attacks, heart failure and strokes.
“Kidney disease somehow speeds up heart disease well before it has ravaged the kidneys. And perhaps not surprising, kidney patients may die of heart disease over a period of time,” said Dr Ghazali during the health screening conducted by the Hospital Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with this year’s World Kidney Day 2010 last Friday at The Mall.
He said kidney disease accelerated heart disease to the point before needing dialysis or transplantation.
“Hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease and heart disease,” said Dr Ghazali.
He added that 55% of patients in Malaysia who experienced kidney failure started of by having diabetes.
Over time, these changes will damage the filtering units in our kidneys and will slowly lose their function. Vital nutrients will be lost in the urine and waste products will start to collect in the blood, and if the kidney damage is left untreated, the kidneys may fail as a result.
“Kidney-failure patients needed to undergo costly haemodialysis treatment regularly until suitable kidneys are available,” said Dr Ghazali.
“As such. I advise the public to go for regular medical checks if they have signs of diabetes.”
