Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Excess fluid and waste from the blood remain in the body, potentially causing other health problems. CKD is also associated with heart disease and stroke.
CKD is a common disease, impacting more than 1 in 7 U.S. adults (38 million). As many as 9 in 10 adults with CKD do not know they have it. Some health consequences of CKD include anemia (low red blood cell count), frequent infections, low calcium levels, high potassium and phosphorus levels in the blood, loss of appetite, and depression or lower quality of life. Kidney disease can get worse over time and may lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The good news is you can help prevent CKD and lower the risk for kidney failure by knowing risk factors for CKD, getting tested yearly, making necessary lifestyle changes, taking medicine as needed, and seeing your health care team regularly.