Cardiovascular risk factors and prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic renal disease.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular events. In predialysis stages as well as in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), mortality in patients with chronic renal failure is most frequently due to cardiovascular disease. AREAS COVERED IN THE REVIEW: This review examines the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease in the different stages of CKD, summarizes risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with reduced renal function and examines treatment strategies in nontraditional risk factors and lifestyle modifications of importance in patients with CKD. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: The reader will be brought up to date with the relative contribution of traditional and nontraditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease in CKD patients. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Lifestyle modifications, including weight control, cessation of smoking and dietary salt restriction, are measures that should have a major impact in the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. Additional benefit may be gained by treating nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors that are characteristic of chronic renal failure.