Back to News & Stories
Understanding and Improving Kidney Health
Your heart and kidneys work together as a team. Your heart pumps oxygen-rich blood, and your kidneys act as your body's filters, removing waste and extra water from that blood.
So to keep your heart healthy, you need your kidneys to be healthy too. One of the best ways to understand how well your kidneys are filtering blood is by checking your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
What Is eGFR?
Your eGFR measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste and excess water from your blood. Your eGFR is calculated using your serum (blood) creatinine level, age, and sex.
Creatinine is a natural waste product of a chemical that your body uses to provide energy to muscles. When your kidneys work well, they filter creatinine out of your system, resulting in healthy eGFR levels.
How Do I Test My eGFR?
Your doctor takes a blood sample, tests it for its creatinine levels, and uses a mathematical formula to estimate how well your kidneys are filtering waste. In addition to your creatinine levels, the formula considers your age, ethnicity, sex, height, and weight.
The eGFR test is usually ordered alongside other tests as part of a bundle called the “basic metabolic panel” (BMP) or “comprehensive metabolic panel” (CMP). It is one of the most frequently ordered lab tests and is often included in routine health check-ups, and it is also included as part of the Heart & Kidney Health Screening from the Future of Medicine program by Care Access.
What Does My eGFR Score Mean?
When reviewing your eGFR results, a higher number indicates better kidney function. If your eGFR is low, it means your kidneys might not be working as well as they should.
Typically, an eGFR value below 60 suggests potential kidney function impairment. An eGFR lower than 15 is a marker of kidney failure.
You might notice that your eGFR results fluctuate slightly between tests, and this is completely normal. It's more helpful to focus on the overall pattern over time, rather than a single lab result when interpreting your eGFR number, so be sure to ask your physician if you have any questions or concerns about your results.
Tips for Improving Kidney Health
The best way to possibly improve your kidney health is through lifestyle changes. Adopting healthy habits may prevent or slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Since diabetes and high blood pressure are the primary causes of CKD, it’s essential to manage these conditions first. Once you have pre-existing conditions under control, there are a few healthy habits you can adopt to help your kidney function:
Move your body.
Regular physical activity has many health benefits, such as improved blood pressure, reduced stress, better sleep, stronger muscles, and a healthier weight. All these things can help your kidneys function better.
Stop smoking.
Using tobacco products raises your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and other health issues. Tobacco hardens your blood vessels and slows blood flow to important organs like your kidneys, making their job harder. Studies also show that even secondhand smoke can increase the risk of kidney disease. If you quit using tobacco products, your kidney function may improve.
Eat a balanced diet.
A healthy and balanced diet gives you the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals your body needs each day. Since there's no one-size-fits-all “healthy diet,” as everyone has different tastes and preferences, a diet that helps promote better kidney function generally includes:
- Following a low-salt diet; talk to your doctor about the DASH diet.
- Avoiding processed foods, as they often contain high levels of salt.
- Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables.
- Moderating your protein consumption, as excessive protein intake can strain the kidneys.
Ultimately, if you focus on adding these healthy habits to your daily life, you can improve your kidney health.
Next Steps
Understanding and managing your kidney health is crucial for your overall health. Regular assessments help in identifying potential issues early and taking proactive steps to manage both kidney and heart health effectively.
eGFR testing is included in the Heart & Kidney Health Screening from the Future of Medicine program by Care Access.
For more detailed information and resources on eGFR, check out the Estimated glomerular filtration rate guide from the National Kidney Foundation.
CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS
Sinikka Green, MD
Dr. Green is the Medical Director and a Principal Investigator at Care Access. She is board certified in emergency medicine.
SOURCES
- National Kidney Foundation. "Can My GFR Get Better?" Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/can-my-gfr-get-better.
- National Kidney Foundation. "Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate." Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/estimated_glomerular_filtration_rate.pdf.
- UPMC. "Glomerular Filtration Rate Calculator." Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.upmc.com/services/transplant/kidney-pancreas/glomerular-filtration-rate-calculator.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Care Access is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Our products and content are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.