Congestive Heart Failure in Kidney Failure

Healthy kidneys can function normally to filter waste products and extra fluid from the blood.The heart can function to pump blood through the body.Kidneys and heart share a cause-and-effect relationship.Congestive heart failure commonly occurs in kidney failure.

High blood pressure

In Kidney Failure, the renal blood vessels become damaged.The kidneys stop removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.The excess fluid in the blood increases the volume of blood,thus resulting in high blood pressure.

High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body.As the heart functions harder,the cardiac muscle becomes enlarged,thus leading to congestive heart failure.

Diabetes

Diabetes is an important cause of kidney failure.It is also an attributable factor of congestive heart failure.

Patients with Diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.High blood glucose level can elevate blood pressure and levels of certain lipids including triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein. All these factors can contribute to heart disease that can lead to congestive heart failure.

Anemia

Anemia is also a possible cause of congestive heart failure in kidney failure.Healthy kidneys can produce EPO which can stimulate bone marrow to produce red blood cells.However,the diseased kidneys can not make adequate EPO,thus resulting in reduced level of red blood cells.Red blood cells can distribute oxygen to heart tissues and cells.Inadequate oxygen supply can affect cardiac function,thus leading to congestive heart failure.

Fluid overload

The diseased kidneys fail to remove the extra fluid from body adequately.In addition,if the patients do not limit their fluid intake restrictively,it is very likely to cause high buildup of fluid in body.Fluid overload can cause heart to work harder. The extra strain on heart can contribute to congestive heart failure in kidney failure.

The above are the major causes of congestive heart failure in kidney failure. For tips to manage the condition, you can email to kidneycares@hotmail.com .