Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native kidney failure, caused by diabetes or that having diabetes significantly …
Are You At-Risk?
Find out about your risk for chronic kidney disease inside
Did You Know
One in nine American adults, age 20 or over, have chronic kidney disease and most dont know it The leading causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure Both of these diseases damage the kidneys Knowing your GFR number and working wih a doctor could prevent or delay kidney failure African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure and develop chronic kidney disease, even when blood pressure is only mildly elevated Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders All people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease African Americans, Native Americans and Mexican Americans are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease due to diabetes
GFR - Glomerular Filtration Rate is a measure of kidney function
The Warning Signs
There are no symptoms in the early stages of chronic kidney disease That is why it is important to visit your doctor on a regular basis and to be tested if you are at-risk Warning signs of chronic kidney disease include: High blood pressure
Blood and/or protein in the urine A creatinine blood test greater than 12 for women and 14 for men Frequent urination, particularly at night Puffiness around the eyes, swelling of hands and feet Shortness of breath Loss of appetite Nausea, especially in the morning
Creatinine is a waste product removed from the blood by healthy kidneys
Could I be at Risk?
You are at-risk for chronic kidney disease if you have: diabetes and/or high blood pressure These two diseases are known as silent killers, meaning you may have them and not know it You may also be at-risk if you have a family member with chronic kidney disease Other things that can cause chronic kidney disease are: inherited and congenital kidney disease, lupus, some medications, alternative medicine treatments and street drugs
You can have high blood pressure for years and not have any warning signs The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked
Prevention Steps
There are ways to prevent or delay chronic kidney disease from occurring Heres what you can do: Eat healthy, well-balanced meals Exercise regularly Stop smoking If you have diabetes or high blood pressure take
your medication
Over 70 of all kidney failure, caused by diabetes or high blood pressure, may be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle, medications and appropriate medical management
High Blood Pressure Risk Factors
Check the risk factors you have for high blood pressure on the line that precedes each statement Do you have a history of high blood pressure in your family? Are you 35 or older? Are you African American? Do you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease? Do you regularly eat salty, fried or greasy food? Are you overweight? Do you have a sit-down lifestyle, without much physical activity? Are you taking birth control pills? Do you smoke? Do you regularly have more than two alcoholic drinks one ounce of alcohol each day? Are you constantly under a lot of stress? I have of the risk factors The more items youve checked, the greater your risk of having or developing high blood pressure
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure, call y 
our doctor for a chronic kidney disease evaluation I have diabetes I have high blood pressure
Talk to your doctor and ask him or her about your score on the following factors:
TAKE ACTION NOWAKE DISCUSS THIS
SCORE CARD WITH YOUR DOCTOR
Information about lab values on back
Score Card
Normal Range Blood Sugar Hgb A1c Blood Pressure GFR Microalbumin Cholesterol HDL LDL Triglycerides 70-110mg/dl 7 120/80 90 negative 200mg/dl 50mg/dl 100mg/dl 150mg/dl Your Score
If your GFR is between 60-90, you may
have chronic kidney disease or the decline in your GFR may be normal for your age Talk with your doctor
Understanding Your Lab Values:
Glucose Blood Sugar
A test to measure the amount of sugar in your blood If sugar stays in your blood instead of moving into your cells for energy, it can act like a poison
Hgb A1c
A test that measures the average amount of sugar in your blood over the past 3 months
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can damage small blood vessels in your kidneys, eyes, and other areas
GFR Glomerular Filtration Rate
GFR is a measure of kidney function The higher your GFR the better
Microalbumin
In people with diabetes when kidneys are damaged very small amounts of protein microalbuminuria leak into the urine The test for small amounts of protein in the urine is called Microalbumin You want this test to be negative
Cholesterol
People with high levels of cholesterol may
feel well, yet be at a higher risk for heart atacks and hardening of the arteries
High-Density Lipoprotein HDL
Good cholesterol Linked with lower risk of heart disease
Low Density Lipoprotein LDL
Bad cholesterol Linked with stroke and heart attack
Triglycerides
Main form of fat found in food and the human body
At-Risk Weight Chart
Based on Body-Mass Index
This chart shows unhealthy weights for men and women age 18 or older at the listed heights If you weigh the same or more than the amount listed for your height, you may be at-risk for developing diabetes and other chronic diseases
Height feet/inches without shoes 4 10 4 11 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Weight in pounds without clothing 129 133 138 143 147 152 157 162 167 172 177 182 188 193 199 204 210 216 221
5 10 5 11 6 6 6 6 6 0 1 2 3 4
Call Your Doctor
If you are at high risk for chronic kidney disease, you should learn more and get involved Early detection and good management of diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to a longer life and keep your kidneys healthy If you have risk factors for high blood pressure, you should call your doctor for an evaluation
HAP Clinical Care Management
For more
information about chronic kidney disease, call Clinical Care Management at 1-800-288-2902
Call 1-800-482-1455 wwwnkfmorg
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan offers information and assistance to people with chronic kidney disease
Call 1-517-335-8445 wwwdiabetes-midonorg
The Michigan Diabetes Outreach Network provides consultation, resources, education and public awareness Call them for the office in your area
Call 1-888-DIABETES 342-2383 wwwdiabetesorg
The American Diabetes Association Serving Michigan provides advocacy, information and awareness to the community
Call 1-800-AHA-USA1 242-8721 wwwamericanheartorg
The American Heart Association wants Michigan residents to know that having diabetes significantly raises your risk for heart attack and stroke
