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Your heart and kidneys are more deeply connected than you realize. When either organ starts to fail, the other is put at serious risk. Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, age, and family history are risk factors for both organs, often leading to gradual damage that can develop silently over years until it’s too late.

As we mark Heart Health Month this February in Canada, there’s no better time to pay attention. Read on to learn more about the connection between the heart and kidneys and the steps you can take today to stay healthy.

How does kidney disease affect the heart?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly increases the risk of heart disease because the kidneys play a key role in regulating fluid balance and blood pressure, forcing the heart to work harder and increasing the risk of heart failure over time.

CKD also triggers widespread inflammation in the body and causes a buildup of toxins that can injure heart tissue, which further strains the cardiovascular system and contributes to long-term heart damage [1, 2].

How does heart disease affect your kidneys?

When the heart grows weak, the kidneys suffer from decreased blood flow [3]. With less blood reaching them, they can’t filter properly, leading to fluid buildup, disrupted hormone balance, and a drop in kidney function. In fact, people who experience heart failure are far more likely to develop kidney disease than those who do not [4].

How can you protect your heart and kidneys?

Many of the same habits that protect your kidneys also strengthen your heart: eating well, staying active, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling existing health conditions, and getting enough sleep.

Just as important is knowing your personal risk factors. Tools like the Are You at Risk Quiz can help you identify where you stand and guide the conversations you should be having with your healthcare team.

Don’t wait. Take these steps to protect your heart and kidneys today.

Free Resources

• Kidney Community Kitchen – Dietitian advice, nutrition facts, and recipes
• Kidney Info – A hub for patients & caregivers offering advice on various topics
• Peer Support – Connect with those with lived experience of kidney disease
• 2026 Virtual Forum – A free 2-day event to learn more about kidney health and care

References

1. Schunk, Stefan J., and Paul Zimmermann. "Cardiovascular Risk and Its Presentation in Chronic Kidney Disease." Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 13 (2025): 4567.
2. Marx-Schütt, Katharina, David ZI Cherney, Joachim Jankowski, Kunihiro Matsushita, Massimo Nardone, and Nikolaus Marx. "Cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease." European Heart Journal 46, no. 23 (2025): 2148-2160.
3. Zoccali, Carmine, Adeera Levin, Francesca Mallamaci, Robert Giugliano, and Raffaele De Caterina. "Advanced chronic kidney disease coexisting with heart failure: navigating patients’ management." Clinical Kidney Journal 18, no. 5 (2025): sfaf128.
4. Braunwald, Eugene. "From cardiorenal to cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic syndromes." (2025): 682-684.