Not many people know that healthy kidneys and healthy hearts are intrinsically linked.  In fact, a recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University and funded by the National Kidney Foundation found that kidney function can be a better predictor of heart attacks and strokes than standard cholesterol and blood pressure tests.

This is yet another reason why we need greater awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a concerted effort by primary care practitioners to test for CKD among those at highest risk – including individuals with diabetes, hypertension, age over 60, and a family history of kidney failure.

Because the kidney-heart connection is so important to overall health, the National Kidney Foundation has partnered with the Million Hearts Initiative – a coalition of groups and individuals working to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.  We encourage you to read NKF’s commitment to the Million Hearts Initiative.

You can also help us save kidneys, hearts, and lives.  Raise awareness among the general public about the importance of our kidneys by sharing our EverybodyPees campaign with your social media network.  This campaign highlights the important role of urine screening to keep kidneys, and hearts, healthy.  You can also sign up for our Advocacy Action Center to be alerted to opportunities to let your Members of Congress know how they can help drive greater prevention of kidney disease, which will also help us reduce heart attacks and strokes for years to come.