September 16, 2026

What your kidney function may be telling you about heart health

It is well established that high blood pressure, or hypertension, can damage the kidneys over time. However, a new Canadian study suggests the relationship may also work in reverse and that changes in kidney function may be an early warning sign for hypertension and heart disease.  

The study examined over a decade of health data from nearly 7.9 million adults in Ontario to better understand how kidney function was linked to the development of hypertension in young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. The researchers found that young adults (18-39 years old) with lower-than-expected kidney function were more likely to develop hypertension in the future. Interestingly, this increased risk was seen even before kidney function dropped below the threshold for a chronic kidney disease diagnosis. 

For young adults, the risk of developing hypertension rose when estimated kidney function (measure by eGFR) dropped below 100ml/min/1.73m2. And it increased as kidney function continued to decline. Compared to those with expected levels of kidney function for their age, young adults with an eGFR between 50-60 ml/min/1.73m2 had a nearly three times higher risk of developing hypertension. 

This risk also extended to broader heart health problems like heart attack, stroke, and/or heart failure. Young adults who developed hypertension, regardless of kidney function, were 6-10 times more likely to experience a major heart-related health concern within five years. The risk was highest among those with lower kidney function. 

These findings suggest a predictive link between kidney health and cardiovascular health. While more research is needed, this research lays essential groundwork for future improvements in early screening for hypertension and heart disease. By identifying those at risk, better monitoring and earlier intervention can help prevent cardiovascular disease before it begins.

Overall, this study highlights that protecting kidney health is more than preventing kidney failure. Rather, it can also help improve the health of other systems in the body like the heart and blood vessels, establishing better long-term health overall. 

This research was supported in part by The Kidney Foundation of Canada.