Heart-kidney health connection

Vital organs work together to keep the body healthy, and that connection runs deep. When one isn’t working properly, it can negatively impact the other, leading to more health complications.

The heart and kidneys work together 24 hours a day to maintain proper health. The average heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood per day. The kidneys filter about 52 gallons each day.

“The kidney does two major things. One is to clean the toxins that accumulate in the body, as well as the fluid that accumulates in the body, and get rid of them,” said Alp Ikizler, professor of nephrology & hypertension at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The heart then pumps clean blood throughout the body, but for many people, that cycle is disrupted.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 14% of Americans have kidney disease, and about 90% of them may not know it until it’s very advanced.

When the kidneys are not functioning properly, toxins and water remain in the blood. That, in turn, forces the heart to work too hard, increasing the risk of heart disease.

“Of course, people become ill. Of course, that creates cardiac stress. Of course, that leads to cardiac damage,” said Dr. William Fissell, associate professor of nephrology & hypertension at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Health experts say it goes both ways. Having heart disease can impact kidney function. Doctors say early detection is key. Treating and managing one disease could help prevent the other from developing.

Heart disease and kidney disease have common risk factors including diabetes and high blood pressure.