With chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidneys become damaged over time or cannot clean the blood as well as healthy kidneys. When the kidneys don’t work well, wastes and extra water build up in the body and may cause other health problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure. However, people with CKD and people at risk for CKD can take steps to protect their kidneys.

CKD Is Common Among US Adults

According to current estimates:*

• CKD is more common in people aged 65 years or older (38%) than in people aged 45–64 years (13%) or 18–44 years (7%).
• CKD is more common in women (15%) than men (12%).
• CKD is more common in non-Hispanic blacks (16%) than in non-Hispanic whites (13%) or non-Hispanic Asians (12%).
• About 14% of Hispanics have CKD.

*Find out how CKD estimates were calculated.

CKD Risk Factors

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the major causes of CKD in adults. Other risk factors include heart disease, obesity, a family history of CKD, past damage to the kidneys, and older age.

Ways to Prevent CKD or Detect It Early

• Control risk factors for CKD:
  • High blood pressure.
  • High blood sugar levels.
    Keeping a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and physical activity may help.
• Test for CKD regularly in people who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other risk factors for CKD.

Testing and Treatment

• People may not feel ill or notice any symptoms until CKD is advanced.
• The only way to find out if people have CKD is through simple blood and urine tests. The blood test checks for creatinine (a waste product produced by muscles) in the blood to see how well the kidneys work. The urine test checks for protein in the urine (a sign of kidney damage).
• Following a healthy diet and taking medicine for diabetes and high blood pressure may keep CKD from getting worse and may prevent other health problems such as heart disease.

CKD-Related Health Problems

Early Death

Adults with CKD are at a higher risk of early death compared to adults without CKD of the same age.

Heart Disease and Stroke

• Having CKD increases the chances of also having heart disease and stroke.
• Managing high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels—all factors that increase the risk for heart disease and stroke—is very important for people with CKD.

Other Health Problems

As CKD worsens over time related health problems become more likely, including:

• Anemia or low red blood cell count (can cause fatigue and weakness).
• Low calcium levels and high phosphorus levels in the blood (can cause bone problems).
• High potassium levels in the blood (can cause an irregular or abnormal heartbeat).
• Loss of appetite or nausea.
• Extra fluid in the body (can cause high blood pressure, swelling in the legs, or shortness of breath).
• Infections or a weakened immune system.
• Depression.

Kidney Failure

If kidney damage is severe and kidney function is very low, dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed for survival. Kidney failure treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant is called end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Treatment may slow the decline in kidney function and delay kidney failure. However, not everyone with CKD develops ESKD, and in some cases ESKD develops even with treatment.

Facts About ESKD

• In 2016, nearly 125,000 people in the United States started treatment for ESKD, and more than 726,000 (2 in every 1,000 people) were on dialysis or were living with a kidney transplant.
• Every day, more than 240 people on dialysis die.
• For every 2 women who develop ESKD, 3 men develop ESKD.
• African Americans are about 3 times more likely than whites to develop ESKD.
• For every 3 non-Hispanics who develop ESKD, 4 Hispanics develop ESKD.
• In US adults aged 18 years or older, diabetes and high blood pressure are the main reported causes of ESKD.
• In US children and adolescents younger than 18 years, polycystic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) are the main causes of ESKD.

Reported Causes of End-stage Kidney Disease
in the United States

People With CKD Can Lower Their Risk for Kidney Failure

• Learn about CKD from their kidney doctor (nephrologist) to better understand treatment and protect their kidneys. People with nephritis, polycystic kidney disease (a cause of CKD and kidney failure), or other kidney disease should talk about specific treatment options with their kidney doctor.
• Manage blood sugar and blood pressure.
• Manage CKD:
  • Make lifestyle changes (e.g., healthy eating, exercise) to prevent more kidney damage. Meet with a dietitian to create a kidney-healthy eating plan that is low in salt and fat and has the right amount of protein. As CKD gets worse, the plan may also include limiting phosphorus and potassium.
  • Use medicines (e.g., drugs to lower blood pressure) to slow the decline in kidney function.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Avoid conditions or exposures that can harm the kidneys or cause kidney function to suddenly get worse:
    • Certain medicines:
      • Over-the-counter pain medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen.
      • Some antibiotics.
      • Proton pump inhibitors used to reduce stomach acid, such as omeprazole and lansoprazole.
    • Herbal supplements (always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements).
    • Certain dyes (contrast agents) used to make blood vessels or organs visible on X-rays or other imaging tests.
    • Kidney infections (preventing bladder infections may help).
  • Check with a doctor about other things to avoid.