5 Signs Your Kidneys or Heart Could be in Trouble

Tests and procedures Diseases and conditions Diagnostic, screening, and imaging tests Cardiovascular disease High blood pressure Heart disease

February 06, 2017

Diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the heart and kidneys. If you have one of these conditions, you could easily have the other and not even know it. Heart and kidney disease often develop silently, with no obvious symptoms until the damage is severe. But there are warning signs. Are you paying attention to them?

Here are five clues your kidneys or heart might be in trouble.

1. Puffy Eyes

Do your eyes look swollen, especially in the morning? Puffy eyes aren’t just from staying up late or allergies. They could signal kidney or heart issues. This swelling can happen when your kidneys aren’t properly filtering out waste and fluid.

Learn how the kidneys work.

2. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Even slightly elevated blood pressure can damage your kidneys over time.

The good news?

You can lower your blood pressure by:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising
Reducing salt
Avoiding smoking
Taking medications as prescribed

Learn more about high blood pressure.

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3. Swelling in Hands, Feet, or Ankles

Are your shoes feeling tighter than usual? Do your rings feel snug? Swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles could mean your kidneys aren’t doing their job. Normally, your kidneys remove excess fluid through urine. If they’re struggling, that fluid can build up. This is a common warning sign of kidney or heart problems that should never be ignored.

Learn more about fluid overload or edema.

4. Protein or Blood in Urine

Have you noticed foamy urine or a color change? A urinalysis can detect signs of trouble, like protein, blood, or sugar in your urine. Protein in the urine, called albumin, is an early warning sign of kidney disease. It’s also linked to a higher risk of heart problems. Regular urine tests can catch these issues before they get worse.

Learn more about urine testing.

5. High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a sneaky risk factor for both heart and kidney disease. Cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels, narrowing them and leading to blockages. This can lead to kidney or heart disease. If you have kidney disease, your doctor may recommend regular cholesterol checks to monitor your risk.

Learn more about blood testing.