Chronic kidney disease: A risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a poorly recognized but important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence has demonstrated that persons with CKD are more likely to die of events related to CVD than from consequences of progression in renal failure per se and CVD is the main cause of death in patients with CKD. Almost half of all deaths in patients with CKD are caused by cardiovascular events, particularly congestive cardiac failure, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sudden cardiac death. This article discusses chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.