Scientists find how to predict heart disease risk in chronic kidney disease

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions of people around the world and is a strong risk factor for heart disease.

However, there are limited tools for measuring cardiac risk for CKD patients. Until now, that is!

A new study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has found that a proteomic risk model for heart disease is more accurate than current methods of measuring cardiac risk.

The researchers used proteomics, the study of proteins, to develop their model. They studied nearly 5,000 proteins in 2,667 participants with CKD from two different cohorts.

The researchers used a small drop of blood from participants to predict a patient’s risk for a cardiac event.

Using machine learning, they identified 32 specific proteins that best help indicate a patient’s risk level of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or even cardiovascular death in those with CKD.

The new model was found to be more accurate in identifying those at risk of future heart disease compared to current approaches, including the 2013 ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) and a modified PCE that included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Those in the highest measure of predicted risk had a heart disease event rate of 60 percent over 10 years.

This new model will help healthcare providers better identify CKD patients who are at the highest risk of developing heart disease.

With this information, doctors can provide preventative care measures to lower a patient’s risk.

The study also identified several proteins, such as cartilage intermediate layer protein 2 (CILP2), that could be used in future research to identify cardiac risk or be the target for novel therapies.

The researchers hope that their findings will pave the way for personalized medicine and future research into therapy.

They also made all data connected to the study publicly available, so researchers around the world can access and make further strides in this field.

In conclusion, this study is a promising step towards better understanding the link between CKD and cardiovascular disease and developing more accurate tools to measure cardiac risk in CKD patients.

How to protect heart health in chronic kidney disease

Protecting heart health is crucial for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here are some tips on how to protect your heart health if you have CKD:

Manage blood pressure: High blood pressure is a common complication of CKD and a major risk factor for heart disease. Work with your doctor to keep your blood pressure under control through lifestyle changes and medication if necessary.

Control blood sugar: If you have diabetes, it’s important to manage your blood sugar levels to protect your heart. Follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and take any prescribed medications as directed.

Eat a heart-healthy diet: A healthy diet is important for everyone, but especially for those with CKD. Choose foods that are low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium.

Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources in your diet.

Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help improve heart health and lower your risk of heart disease. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Quit smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and can be especially harmful if you have CKD. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.

Manage stress: Chronic stress can raise your risk of heart disease. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, meditation, or talking to a counselor.

Take medications as directed: If you have CKD, your doctor may prescribe medications to manage your blood pressure, blood sugar, or other health conditions. It’s important to take these medications as directed to protect your heart health.

In conclusion, protecting heart health is essential for people with CKD.

By managing blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress, and taking medications as directed, you can lower your risk of heart disease and improve your overall health.

If you care about kidney health, please read studies about drug that prevents kidney failure in diabetes, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.

For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about common symptoms of heart failure you need to know, and results showing coconut sugar could help reduce artery stiffness.

The study was conducted by Rajat Deo et al and published in European Heart Journal.

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