Chronic Kidney Disease Facts

One in nine adults in the United States has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing their job.

Undiagnosed CKD can lead to:

• collection of water in legs or in lungs
• organ damage
• weak bones
• digestive tract disorders
• heart rhythm disturbances
• high blood pressure
• anemia
• premature death

Early detection and treatment can often keep CKD from getting worse.

When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.

Quick facts about CKD

• 20 million Americans — 1 in 9 US adults — have CKD and another 20 million more are at increased risk.
• Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
• The Kidney Score is the best estimate of kidney function.
• Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.
• Persistant proteinuria indicates CKD.
• High-risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease.
• African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and seniors are at increased risk.