In New Zealand, heart disease is responsible for causing 30% of the country’s deaths, causing a new death every 90 minutes, or 16 people in one day. To make matters worse, Pacific and Maori people have a much greater chance than the rest of the world’s population to die from heart disease.

It has been found that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are 20 to 30 times more likely to develop some sort of cardiovascular problem compared with the rest of the population. Early detection of CKD is essential in being able to lower blood pressure and proteinuria (high levels of protein in the urine) to hinder the link between CKD and cardiovascular disease.

Knowing whether or not you have kidney disease in the early stages is difficult without a test, and anywhere from 80% to 90% of people with the early stages of kidney diseases do not know it. However, since March is National Kidney Month and March 10 is designated as World Kidney Day, you could have the simple blood and urine tests completed to check yourself for CKD if you feel you’re at risk.

Common symptoms of CKD according to the National Kidney Foundation include swollen feet, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, low energy levels, trouble concentrating, itchy skin, increased frequency in urination and puffy eyes.