According to a study in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology, making sure you see your doctor and have tests run on a regular basis can prevent serious complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD).  The results of the study suggest patients who follow preventative measures are more likely to stay healthy.
 
The researchers found increasing preventative measures correlated with lower rates of heart disease.  CKD patients who received influenza vaccines and had their lipids, calcium-phosphorus levels and parathyroid hormone levels (and blood glucose levels if they were diabetic) monitored had lower rates of heart disease and heart-related deaths during the following year.

This article originally appeared in the September 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.