Heart and kidney disease: a cardiovascular high-risk constellation.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This is mediated by highly prevalent traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus in patients with CKD, but also by the presence of CKD-specific so-called nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors such as vascular calcification, uremic toxins, uremic dyslipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Therefore, the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease represents an important part of the care of patients with CKD. This entails optimal control of blood pressure and diabetes, treatment of the uremic dyslipidemia, as well as life-style modifying factors such as weight reduction and smoking cessation.