Chronic kidney disease: A hidden threat to your heart
Most people with kidney disease don't know they have it. Two screening tests can tell you if you're at risk.
- Reviewed by John W. Ostrominski, MD, Contributor

Nestled just below your ribcage on either side of your spine, your kidneys filter some 200 quarts of blood each day, removing waste and balancing fluid levels in your body. These fist-sized organs are more closely connected to your heart health than you might realize. Cardiologists are now calling for more attention to the kidney-heart connection and stressing the importance of early screening for chronic kidney disease.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
John W. Ostrominski, MD, Contributor
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