Cardiovascular risk factors in chronic kidney disease patients on renal replacement therapy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The risk factors for CVD in this population can be categorized into three main groups: traditional (nonmodifiable factors such as male gender, age over 65 years in men and over 75 years in women, and a family history of cardiovascular disease; modifiable factors encompass hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity), renal-specific (anemia, chronic fluid overload, mineral and bone disorders, chronic inflammation, electrolyte imbalances, and oxidative stress), and transplant-specific (immunosuppressive therapy and graft dysfunction). Risk factors related to renal pathology and immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation play a role comparable in significance to traditional CVD risk factors. Early detection and management of these factors are critical for reducing CVD incidence in this patient population.