I Have Been Diagnosed With End-Stage Kidney Disease. Am I At An Increased Risk Of Heart Attack?

— -- Question: I have been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. Am I at an increased risk of heart attack?

Answer: Patients who develop end-stage kidney disease -- and we define that basically when the kidneys are working at such a low level that dialysis is required, whether hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis -- basically, survival is not an option without an artificial kidney.

That yes, the likelihood of developing blockages in the arteries of the heart is more common, the likelihood of developing a heart attack is more common, and the prognosis after a heart attack is worse.

Patients in this situation often will have a kidney transplant, which may somewhat improve the prognosis. However, we need more studies in this area, before we can say that for sure.

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