Strategies for Controlling Blood Pressure and Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer from an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and a high rate of premature CV morbidity and mortality. The confluence of CV risk factors, in the context of cardio-metabolic perturbations that vary as renal function declines, complicates strategies for the care of patients with CKD. Understanding the existing evidence for effective CVD treatment strategies can help providers better care for these patients, navigate the complex treatment guidelines, which often differ across major organizations, and minimize the conflicting recommendations that new studies may pose. A pragmatic approach is to target a BP <140/90 mm Hg, which frequently requires more than two or three antihypertensive agents. Most guidelines recommend a combination of diuretic and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blockers, along with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, beta blocker or other agent based on co-existing medical conditions. Consideration for a lower BP goal and/or other therapeutic interventions should be based on the etiology of CKD, stage of CKD, and/or presence of proteinuria. Finally, most patients with CKD, not on dialysis, would benefit from treatment with statins and non-pharmacologic lifestyle interventions should be promoted for all patients with CKD.