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Nephrosclerosis

Nephrosclerosis is a common cause of chronic kidney failure in the elderly and is caused by atherosclerosis in the blood vessels of the kidneys. Early detection and treatment of high blood pressure can slow the progression of the disease and protect kidney function.

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Quick version

Nephrosclerosis is a form of chronic kidney damage caused by long-term damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys, often as a result of high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It is one of the most common causes of kidney failure in older people.

Globally, nephrosclerosis is one of several causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to a study from 2017, there were approximately 697.5 million cases of CKD worldwide, which corresponds to a global prevalence of 9.1%. However, it is important to note that these figures include all forms of CKD, and specific data for nephrosclerosis are very limited.​

What is nephrosclerosis?

Nephrosclerosis means that the small blood vessels in the kidneys thicken and become stiff, which impairs blood flow to the kidney tissue. This gradually leads to a deterioration in the kidney's filtering ability. Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney failure. The disease develops slowly and is often linked to other vascular diseases.

Causes of Nephrosclerosis

The main causes of nephrosclerosis are:

  • Chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) – increases the strain on the blood vessels of the kidneys.
  • Arteriosclerosis – leads to narrowing of the blood vessels, including in the kidneys.
  • Aging – the risk of nephrosclerosis increases with age, especially after the age of 60.
  • Diabetes – can accelerate vascular damage in the kidneys.
  • Smoking and high blood lipids – contribute to vascular damage.

Symptoms

Nephrosclerosis often causes no symptoms in the early stages. When kidney function deteriorates, the following symptoms may occur:

  • Fatigue and decreased energy
  • Edema (swelling) in the legs and feet
  • High blood pressure
  • Impaired blood values ​​(anemia)
  • High creatinine levels in the blood

Diagnosis of Nephrosclerosis

The diagnosis is usually made through a combination of clinical presentation, blood tests and imaging. Important components of the investigation are:

  • Blood tests: Creatinine , eGFR cystatin , electrolytes and blood status
  • Urine tests: Albuminuria or proteinuria may indicate damage
  • Blood pressure measurement: Long-term high blood pressure is a common underlying cause
  • Ultrasound of the kidneys: Can show reduced and thickened kidneys in advanced nephrosclerosis

Treatment of Nephrosclerosis

There is no curative treatment for nephrosclerosis, but the progression can be slowed by treating underlying causes and protecting the kidneys. Important treatment principles are:

  • Optimize blood pressure: The goal is often a pressure below 130/80 mmHg. ACE inhibitors or ARBs are often used.
  • Diet and lifestyle: Reduce salt intake, stop smoking, physical activity and weight control.
  • Treat blood lipids: Statins for high cholesterol levels.
  • Diabetes control: Important if diabetes is present.
  • Regular follow-up: Monitoring of kidney function and blood pressure over time.

Prognosis

The course of nephrosclerosis varies, but many patients eventually develop impaired kidney function. Early detection and consistent treatment can, however, slow down the progression. In advanced disease, dialysis or kidney transplantation may be necessary.

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Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

  • Checking your kidney function.
  • Test for suspected kidney failure.
  • Health check for your kidney status.

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