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Essential kidney information

Transforming the way we talk about chronic kidney disease

Learn about chronic kidney disease and the interconnected systems 

‘Everybody’s journey is different.’

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What is the connection between the kidneys and type 2 diabetes?

Blood sugar levels and the kidneys are interconnected, meaning that when a person has a disease that affects their blood sugar levels, like type 2 diabetes, they are likely to experience kidney problems if their blood sugar levels aren’t controlled.1


Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood sugar, resulting from the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or resistance of insulin action in the body.2


Over time, uncontrolled high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys, making it harder for them to filter your blood. If left unchecked and untreated, damage to the kidneys can ultimately result in kidney failure and a need for dialysis (the process of removing excess water and toxins from the blood by a machine) or kidney transplantation.3


Type 2 diabetes can also cause high blood pressure which is one of the major causes of chronic kidney disease. Doctors will often prescribe treatments to help control your blood pressure as well as your blood sugar, to prevent further damage to your kidneys.4


Because the two organ systems are so closely related, getting your diabetes under control can help to improve your kidney health and limit further damage caused by high blood sugar.4 

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Did you know:

Approximately half of people with type 2 diabetes have some level of kidney disease.5 

If you have questions or concerns about the interconnectivity of these conditions, speak to your doctor. 

What is the connection between the kidneys and the heart?

The heart and the kidneys work very closely together to keep you healthy.


Your kidneys remove toxins and excess water from your blood, and your heart pumps blood to the rest of your body (including your kidneys). Due to the close relationship between the organ systems, when one isn’t functioning properly, the other is affected.6


When the kidneys aren’t working properly to filter waste, the volume and composition of your blood changes, which can result in your heart having to work harder to pump blood around the body. In the long term, this may cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, which in turn could make your kidney disease worse.7,8


This means people with kidney disease are at risk of developing heart disease, and people with heart disease are at risk of developing kidney disease.8


Ask your health care provider(s) what steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting heart disease or help keep your heart disease from getting worse.9

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Did you know:

At least 1 in 3 people with chronic kidney disease have heart disease.10

If you have questions or concerns about the interconnectivity of these conditions, speak to your doctor. 

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Diabetes Talks

Learn more about diabetes and how it impacts the heart and the kidneys
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References

  1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetic Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/diabetic-kidney-disease (Last accessed: October 2021).

  2. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org/en/ (Last accessed: October 2021).

  3. Diabetes.org. Kidney Disease (Nephropathy). Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy (Last accessed: October 2021).

  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. High Blood Pressure & Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/high-blood-pressure (Last accessed: October 2021).

  5. Thomas MC., Changing epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated chronic kidney disease. Nat Rev Nephrology. 2016;12(2):73–81.

  6. Rangaswami J., et al. Cardiorenal Syndrome: Classification, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;139(16):e840–e878.

  7. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Explaining Your Kidney Test Results: A Tool for Clinical Use. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/professionals/advanced-search/explain-kidney-test-results (Last accessed: October 2021).

  8. Garcia-Donaire JA., et al. Cardiovascular and Renal Links along the Cardiorenal Continuum. Int J Nephrol. 2011;975782.

  9. NHS website. Coronary heart disease - Prevention. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/prevention/ (Last accessed: October 2021).

  10. Lovre D., et al. Managing Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2018;47(1):237-257.

Job code: PC-CRP-102667

Date of preparation: November 2021