Introduction to End Stage Renal Disease

Screening for Kidney Failure

Identification of kidney disease in the early stages is essential to preserving function for as long as possible. Evaluation of renal function can be done by simple blood and urine tests. Screening is especially important for those with hypertension, diabetes, and other medical illnesses that increase the risk for kidney damage.

The American Heart Association has published a scientific statement to emphasize the importance of recognizing kidney disease as one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and recommends that measurement of urinary albumin excretion and estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) be included in the evaluation of patients with or at high risk for cardiovascular disease.