About cardio-renal-metabolic conditions
The cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic systems are closely interconnected and share many of the same risk factors.1,2
Cardiovascular system
- The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood.
- Damage to any or all parts of the cardiovascular system can result in conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, and stroke. These affect the blood vessels and in turn the blood flow to the organs such as the kidneys and the pancreas.3
Renal system
- The renal system consists of the kidneys, ureter, and urethra.
- High blood pressure constricts and narrows the blood vessels throughout the body, including in the kidneys. If the kidney’s blood vessels are damaged, they are no longer able to remove the waste and fluid from the blood. These build up in the blood, eventually leading to kidney failure.11
Metabolic system
- The metabolic system consists of the pancreas, liver, gut, kidney, and muscles.
- Each kidney is made up of millions of tiny filters called nephrons. Over time, high blood sugar from diabetes can damage blood vessels in the kidneys as well as nephrons so they don't work as well as they should.4
References
- Leon BM, Maddox TM. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiology, biological mechanisms, treatment recommendations and future research. World J Diabetes. 2015;6(13):1246–58..
- García-Donaire JA, Ruilope LM. Cardiovascular and Renal Links along the Cardiorenal Continuum. Int J Nephrol. 2011;2011:975782.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Heart Disease & Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/heart-disease. Last accessed: October 2022
- Diabetes.org. Kidney Disease (Nephropathy). Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy. Last accessed: October 2022.