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Why is the risk for cardiovascular disease increased in CKD?
Both traditional and nontraditional risk factors are important contributors to cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the two most common causes of CKD—both are also known cardiovascular risk factors.
Moreover, diseases like hypertension are more severe in the setting of Chronic Kidney Disease. However, traditional risk factors are insufficient to explain the high cardiovascular risk seen with Chronic Kidney Disease.
A large number of nontraditional risk factors have been identified, such as systemic inflammation, high serum phosphorus, and oxidative stress (among others).
However, at this time, it remains unclear if any of the traditional or nontraditional risk factors can be modified to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Nontraditional Risk Factors for Cardiovascular in Chronic Kidney Disease
| Salt and volume overload | Anemia |
| Left ventricular hypertrophy | Metabolic acidosis |
| Uremic toxins | Use of immunosuppressants |
| Sympathetic overactivity | Oxidative stress |
| Altered mineral metabolism | Inflammation |
| Vascular calcification | Endothelial cell dysfunction |
| Protein-energy wasting | Albuminuria/proteinuria |
