MyHeartDiseaseTeam

The heart and kidneys work together as partners in your body. When your heart isn't pumping effectively, it affects how well your kidneys can filter blood and remove waste. Similarly, kidney problems can impact heart function. This two-way relationship means that when one organ struggles, the other often faces challenges Show Full Answer

The heart and kidneys work together as partners in your body. When your heart isn't pumping effectively, it affects how well your kidneys can filter blood and remove waste. Similarly, kidney problems can impact heart function. This two-way relationship means that when one organ struggles, the other often faces challenges too.

With heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation (AFib), your heart may not pump blood as efficiently as it should. This can reduce blood flow to your kidneys, potentially affecting their ability to filter waste and maintain fluid balance. When the heart isn't pumping effectively, extra fluid can back up into the lungs and legs, causing swelling and shortness of breath. Meanwhile, the kidneys may not receive enough blood flow to function properly. This interconnected relationship between heart and kidney function is known as cardiorenal syndrome, which affects many people worldwide - up to 63 percent of people with heart failure also experience kidney issues.

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Can Heart Failure Affect the Kidneys?