Dr Vaibhav Keskar, Consultant Nephrologist and Renal Transplant Physician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai (India) points out the strong link between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the risk of stroke. Kidneys, which play a vital role in filtering waste and maintaining the balance of water, salt, and blood pressure, when malfunctioned, can have adverse effects on heart and brain health.
The Link Between CKD and Stroke
According to Dr. Vaibhav Keskar, CKD patients often have traditional risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. CKD damages the lining of blood vessels, causing a decrease in the health of arteries, especially those that supply blood to the brain. This not only increases the risk of stroke due to blockage, but also increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke due to the potential for bleeding into the blood vessels.
Early detection and timely intervention
Symptoms of stroke, such as weakness in the limbs, facial asymmetry, changes in speech, problems with balance or vision, and severe headaches, if detected early, can help save a patient's life, said Dr. Vaibhav Keskar. That's why it's important to recognize and act on the signs of a stroke.
Stroke prevention in CKD patients
To reduce the risk of stroke, CKD patients need to take preventive measures such as:
Control blood pressure and blood sugar.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Control high cholesterol.
Quit smoking.
Have regular health checkups with your nephrologist.
The importance of prevention
Dr Vaibhav Keskar emphasized that although CKD increases the risk of stroke, patients can minimize the risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle and regular health check-ups. Proper awareness of the relationship between CKD and stroke will help patients take effective preventive measures and minimize the risk of developing stroke.
If you or a loved one has risk factors for CKD, regular health checkups and screenings are extremely important to prevent serious complications.
