Heart Health for Kidney Dialysis Patients

Heart problems and heart diseases are very common among kidney disease patients especially those that have begun dialysis treatment. Kidney problems and other illness conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, high blood cholesterol, mineral imbalances are the causes of higher risk of heart disease than the general population. The common heart and blood vessel disease among dialysis patients include coronary artery disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure and stroke.

But the good news is that early and effective prevention measures can help reduce the risk of heart disease and help enhance the patient’s heart health.

Control high blood pressure

High blood pressure is a common symptom of end stage renal disease and it often will worsen renal damages if left untreated. High blood pressure will also increase the risk of developing heart problems and other cardiovascular complications. Therefore early and effective treatment should be sought to control blood pressure within safe range. The ideal blood pressure for kidney disease patients should be below 140/90 before they begin dialysis treatment and it should be less than 130/80 after dialysis is started.

Control high blood sugar

If you are diabetic, it is necessary to bring blood sugar level within safe level or it can affect the heart health.

Proper diets

Have less or no foods that contain high saturated fats such as egg yolk, fried foods, whole milk products, etc. Reducing saturated fat intake can help control high cholesterol levels in the blood so as to reduce the chance of developing heart and blood vessel diseases.

It has been found that the adequate intake of folic acids, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 can help lower the level of homocysteine in the blood. Elevated homocysteine is associated with increased risk of heart problems, therefore it does help for dialysis patients to have more foods that are high in folic acids, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

Physical exercises

The importance of regular physical exercises is to help lower high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood cholesterol levels. It can also help patients maintain a proper body weight, improve the fitness of the heart as well as energy and emotional health.