Chronic kidney disease and cholesterol

Most people are born with two kidneys located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. Your kidneys are very important to your health, and damage to them can result in kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) describes any damage to the kidneys that won’t get better - ‘chronic’ means ongoing.

CKD could mean that your kidneys won’t work properly, but this will depend on how severe your condition is. Most people with CKD are at a mild to moderate stage of the disease, which doesn’t usually cause many problems, but some people won’t be as lucky. If you have been told that you have CKD, it can be very worrying, but there may be things that you can do to stop it getting worse. These can include making lifestyle changes and taking medication prescribed by your doctor.

People with CKD have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and more people with CKD actually die of cardiovascular-related problems than of kidney failure. High cholesterol (a type of fat in your body) can increase your chance of developing cardiovascular disease too, so it is essential to watch your cholesterol.

If you have had a cardiovascular event, such as a stroke or a heart attack, NICE guidelines and leading UK heart doctors recommend keeping a careful check on your cholesterol level or 'number'.

It is also important that people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and/or heart disease, and those who have suffered from a stroke and/or unstable angina or heart attack (ACS), manage their cholesterol level.