When even one member of your family has chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is recommended that all other blood relatives of the family should be tested for kidney disease.

Helpful Hints

• Talk to your family member(s) if they have CKD.
• Find out about their medical history, especially if a family member has high blood pressure or diabetes (risk factors for CKD).
• Find out if they have CKD.
• Find out if you have family members on dialysis
• Talk to your family members if you have CDK, kidney failure, or are on dialysis.
• Talk to your doctor if you find out that you are at risk for CKD.
• Get checked for high blood pressure and diabetes.
• If you are at risk, get checked for protein in your urine.

Take Steps to Prevent Kidney Failure

• Control your blood pressure and diabetes.
• Ask your health provider to test your blood and urine for kidney disease.
• If these tests show kidney disease, talk to your doctor about special medicines called Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) - Inhibitors or Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs).

What Do I Tell My Family Members If I Have CKD

• Encourage family members to get their blood and urine tested for kidney damage.
• Encourage family members to see their health care provider for these tests.
• Encourage family members to get tested for high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Encourage family members to obtain treatment if they are found to have tests that indicate they have some degree of kidney disease.
• Tell family members that finding kidney disease early and treating it can slow kidney damage and may prevent kidney failure.