We sometimes refer to chronic kidney disease, or CKD, as a “silent” condition, as it usually progresses slowly with little to no symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Although it is a serious condition, it is not widely understood by most people. Therefore, when managing conditions like diabetes and cholesterol, we tend to put most of our focus on how these can lead to heart disease. However, these conditions can also significantly impact the kidneys.
The widespread lack of awareness of kidney health is concerning given its prevalence, specifically in Singapore. Singapore ranks fourth around the globe for kidney failure rates, even with its small population. In total, roughly half a million individuals in Singapore have kidney disease (1). As the population continues to age, the incidence rates will likely rise even beyond these numbers.
The heart and kidneys work collaboratively together, contributing to a shared chronic disease network when either organ does not function correctly.
The heart pumps blood throughout the body through blood vessels, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while carrying away metabolic waste products. The kidneys then receive this blood and filter out waste products and excess fluid to maintain homeostasis. Because the kidneys rely on healthy blood vessels to do their job, any condition that damages these blood vessels—such as high blood pressure or diabetes—can also harm the kidneys over time (2).
How Chronic Conditions Damage the Kidneys
There are several causes of CKD related to the heart. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Diabetes
High blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia, can cause damage to the kidneys’ filters. When you have high blood sugar for prolonged periods of time, this damage accumulates to a point where the kidneys can no longer filter waste and excess fluid from the blood effectively. Additionally, proteins that are normally kept in the blood may start to leak into the urine, which is an early sign of kidney damage. When kidney disease is the result of diabetes, we refer to it as diabetic kidney disease (3).
High Blood Pressure
As aforementioned, the blood vessels are essential to kidney function. When your blood pressure is too high, it can cause damage to the blood vessels. Consequently, the kidneys’ filtering system becomes compromised, and waste and fluid cannot be excreted properly. The excess fluid can lead to further increases in blood pressure, which starts a vicious cycle (3).
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by our own body and also obtained from animal food products (e.g. meat, eggs and dairy products). When you consume too much cholesterol, it accumulates in the blood vessels, causing narrowing and blockage – a process known as atherosclerosis. These abnormalities in the blood vessels could lead to coronary heart disease, reducing blood flow to the kidneys and over time increase the risk of CKD. (4).
Other Conditions
Although the above diseases are some of the major contributors to kidney disease, other conditions can also increase the risk of kidney damage. These include:
- Gout
- History of haematuria (blood in the urine)
- Recurrent urine infections
- History of protein in the urine
- Family history of kidney disease
How to Prevent and Reduce the Risk of Getting CKD
The good news is that although CKD is serious, it can be prevented with proper risk reduction. The best way to prevent CKD is to properly manage any pre-existing health conditions that can contribute to CKD, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Management of these conditions will include the following:
In addition to managing these conditions, routine screening and monitoring is essential. Individuals who are at increased risk for CKD, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high blood cholesterol, should have their kidney function regularly assessed. For example, tests such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) can detect kidney damage. Additionally, it will be important to monitor parameters such as blood pressure, HbA1c, and cholesterol levels, as these are important to kidney health.
Proper Management can Slow Down CKD Progression
Being diagnosed with or at risk of CKD can feel overwhelming, yet early action and proper management can significantly slow its progression.
At-home Monitoring System Made Simple
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Both devices are portable and user-friendly, which allow individual to monitor their health conveniently from the comfort of their home or anywhere.
*Note: This SG Diagnostics PreciS™-C Cholesterol Monitoring System and PreciS™-A HbA1c Rapid Analysis System only provides the user a more convenient way to monitor the status of cholesterol and diabetes management by testing cholesterol and HbA1c level.
The results given by this system CANNOT be regarded by users as the basis to modify or change the current therapy. Please do consult your healthcare provider or health professional before any change of therapy.
This article written by Fiverr Medical Writter and edited by SG Diagnostics, 2026.
References:
- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/half-million-people-singapore-suffer-kidney-disease-4998761
- https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/heart-and-kidney-connection
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/causes
- https://www.kidney.org/news-stories/high-cholesterol-high-kidney-disease-risk
- https://www.cdc.gov/kidney-disease/prevention/index.html
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia
- https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/singapore-developed-device-for-diabetics-measures-long-term-average-blood-sugar-levels
