5 signs that the heart or kidneys are in trouble: Common denominator is blood pressure

Ο diabetes and the high blood pressure can cause damage to both the heart and kidneys.

If someone has a heart problem (heart disease), they are likely to have a kidney problem (kidney disease) and vice versa.

Many people do not experience serious symptoms until their kidney or heart disease is advanced enough.

But there are some warning signs that you may be ignoring and mistaking for something else, less serious.

Here are 5 signs that your kidneys, or your heart, may be in trouble:

Puffy eyes

If your eyes seem to be permanently swollen, especially in the morning, don't ignore it. This has been linked to kidney and heart disease. Because puffy eyes are linked to many other conditions, kidney disease and heart disease often overlooked.

High blood pressure

Η high blood pressure (hypertension) is the main cause heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease. Controlling high blood pressure by losing excess weight, exercising, not smoking, reducing salt intake and taking hypertension medications reduces the risk of these complications. Even borderline hypertension, or pre-hypertension, should be taken seriously as it may cause damage to the kidneys.

Swelling in the limbs

The kidneys filter waste from the blood and remove excess water from the body through the urine. When they don't do their job well, this liquid can remain in the system instead of being expelled. Swelling in the hands, feet and ankles may be associated with kidney, or heart failure and should not be ignored.

Protein, or blood in the urine

Urinalysis is used to look for abnormalities, such as excess protein, blood, pus, bacteria, or sugar. A urine test may help in the detection of a variety of disorders of the kidney and urinary tract, including chronic kidney disease, of diabetes mellitus, of bladder infections and of nephrolithiasis (kidney stones).

A trace of a type of protein, albumin in the urine (albinism) is an early sign of chronic kidney disease. Persistent amounts of albumin and other proteins in the urine (proteinuria) indicate kidney damage. The presence of albumin is also a risk factor for cardiovascular events and death.

High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in your blood. Excess cholesterol can build up in the blood vessels, cause them to narrow and lead to blockage. When a blockage occurs in the blood vessels of the heart, it is called coronary artery disease and can cause heart attack. In people with chronic kidney disease, heart disease is very common. It is recommended that these people have cholesterol tests at least once a year.

Anyone can develop chronic kidney disease at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease because of age, race and ethnicity, and/or a family history of heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes and hypertension.