Can polycystic kidney disease affect the heart at 71?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have PKD, and my nephrologist has been monitoring my kidneys for years now. My latest creatinine came back at 2.1 mg/dL, and my eGFR is around 34, which I know is not great. But what nobody seems to be talking to me about is my heart. I read somewhere that polycystic kidney disease can affect the heart too, and now I am worried.
Does polycystic kidney disease affect heart health in older adults at 71, or is that only something younger patients deal with? I feel like my doctors focus so much on the kidneys that they forget the rest of me.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
CKD can affect more than just your kidneys, and it makes sense to wonder about your heart health as part of your overall care. People with polycystic kidney disease can have an increased risk of problems like high blood pressure, changes in the heart muscle, and sometimes heart valve problems, especially as their kidney function decreases.
These risks are not only for younger patients but may also be relevant in older adults. Your creatinine is 2.1 mg/dL, and your estimated glomerular filtration rate is around 34, so your kidney function is reduced, and it is important that your doctors also keep an eye on your cardiovascular health.
This does not mean you will necessarily develop heart problems, but regular monitoring is useful. You can help protect your kidneys and your heart by controlling your blood pressure, staying active within your limits, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and following your kidney treatment plan.
Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, you may want to discuss whether you need to have your heart checked, for example, with an electrocardiogram, a review of your blood pressure, or an echocardiogram with your nephrologist. A good follow-up plan for polycystic kidney disease usually looks at the whole body, not just the kidneys.
I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions
Creatinine level 2.7 mg/dL with controlled BP. Kindly advise the food to be taken.
Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease Imaging
Is it fine to have a normal Holter and echo but an abnormal ECG?
Creatinine level is 1.12 in a 52-year-old patient. What does it mean?
How to manage shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing?
What is polycystic kidney disease?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.