An estimated 35 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (that means their kidneys can’t effectively clear out waste and extra fluid from their bloodstream), and 90% don’t know they have the life-shortening condition. That sets them up for kidney failure, dialysis, stroke, and heart disease.

And those risks are compounded by the fact that chronic kidney disease often goes along with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and excess weight or obesity.

That's why if you have any of those risk factors or a family history of kidney disease, you should get an annual eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) blood test and/or a cystatin C-based eGFR to spot developing problems.

Urine tests can also assess the amount of albumin (a type of protein) in your urine compared to the level of creatinine, or see levels of a protein called nephrin to determine if your kidneys aren't filtering your blood as they should.

If you're developing kidney disease, new medications are proving beneficial. They include:

• SGLT2 inhibitors such as Jardiance for those with or without Type 2 diabetes

• Finerenone for those with certain levels of Type 2 diabetes-associated kidney disease

• GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, especially for anyone with kidney disease who has had a heart attack, has coronary stents, or has had bypass surgery

These medications can reduce your risk of kidney and heart failure, and do much more.