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Condition

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Related terms: CKD, Kidney disease, Reduced kidney function

EstablishedTextbook physiology, or consistent findings reflected in national guidance.
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When the kidneys are no longer filtering the blood and removing wastes as well as they should, for three months or longer. Most people do not notice symptoms until the later stages.

  • You can ask for a Kidney Health Check if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or other risk factors.
  • Kidney disease is the most common cause of high potassium, which can be life-threatening.
  • Chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and gout.

How it works

Up to 90% of kidney function can be lost before a person feels sick, according to Kidney Health Australia, so checks matter for people at risk, such as people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Kidney disease is a complication of both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Kidney function is checked with blood and urine tests. An eGFR below 60 suggests some kidney damage has occurred, and a moderately raised urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) can indicate early kidney disease. Taking medicines as prescribed, some of which help slow kidney damage, controlling diabetes and blood pressure, stopping smoking, keeping active, eating less salt and sugar, and limiting alcohol all help.

Connections

8 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects KidneysKidneysChronic kidney disease (CKD) can be raised by High blood pressureHigh blood pressureChronic kidney disease (CKD) can be raised by Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetesChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise Atrial fibrillation (AF)Atrial fibrillationChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise GoutGoutChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise Coronary heart diseaseCoronaryheart diseaseChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise PotassiumPotassiumChronic kidney disease (CKD) is measured by Kidney function tests (creatinine and eGFR)Kidneyfunction testsChronic kidney disease (CKD) affects KidneysKidneysChronic kidney disease (CKD) can be raised by High blood pressureHigh blood pressureChronic kidney disease (CKD) can be raised by Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetesChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise Atrial fibrillation (AF)Atrial fibrillationChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise GoutGoutChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise Coronary heart diseaseCoronary heart diseaseChronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise PotassiumPotassiumChronic kidney disease (CKD) is measured by Kidney function tests (creatinine and eGFR)Kidney function tests

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can raise

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be raised by

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is measured by

Sources

  1. Chronic kidney diseaseKidney Health Australia, last reviewed February 2026
  2. High blood pressure (hypertension)healthdirect Australia, last reviewed November 2024
  3. Type 2 diabeteshealthdirect Australia, last reviewed October 2024
  4. Kidney function testsPathology Tests Explained, last reviewed 1 June 2023
  5. Potassiumhealthdirect Australia, last reviewed April 2025
  6. Coronary heart diseasehealthdirect Australia, last reviewed June 2024
  7. Gouthealthdirect Australia, last reviewed March 2026

Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.

Summarised from Kidney Health Australia, healthdirect and Pathology Tests Explained. Sources read on 13, 16 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.

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