Best Practices for Educating Patients on CKD

Educating patients on cardiovascular risk secondary to CKD involves clear, patient-centered communication that emphasizes both the link between kidney and heart health and the importance of early intervention. Best practices include explaining how CKD contributes to hypertension, vascular stiffness, inflammation, and increased risk of heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Focusing on modifiable risk factors—such as blood pressure control, blood sugar management, cholesterol optimization, diet, exercise, and smoking cessation—helps patients understand actionable steps. Encouraging regular monitoring of eGFR and uACR, medication adherence, and timely follow-up reinforces the importance of ongoing care. Tailoring education to individual literacy levels, cultural context, and readiness to change increases engagement, while collaborative goal-setting empowers patients to take an active role in reducing both CKD progression and cardiovascular complications.