What should you know about chronic kidney disease and heart failure?

When the heart pumps less effectively, the kidneys may receive less blood flow and may retain more salt and water. When kidney function is reduced, extra fluid and changes in blood pressure can increase the heart's workload. Symptoms such as tiredness, ankle swelling and breathlessness can occur with either condition, so their cause cannot be identified from symptoms alone. Some treatments help both organs, while others require dose or timing changes when kidney function changes.

Attend the appointments arranged for heart and kidney review, and keep a record of weight changes, swelling, breathlessness and home blood pressure if your clinician recommends it. Take medicines exactly as prescribed; do not stop diuretics or start anti-inflammatory pain medicines without advice. Follow the agreed fluid and salt plan, which may need adjustment when symptoms or kidney results change. Bring every prescription, supplement and over-the-counter medicine to reviews so the treatment plan can be checked safely.

Contact your care team promptly for rapidly increasing swelling, a clear change in usual weight, worsening breathlessness, dizziness, reduced urination or difficulty taking medicines. Emergency help is needed for severe breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, blue lips or sudden confusion. Do not wait for a routine appointment if symptoms are escalating quickly.

Ask which symptoms suggest fluid build-up, how often kidney blood tests are needed, what fluid plan applies to you, and which pain medicines or supplements should be avoided.