How is kidney function test related to cerebrovascular disease?

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the association between kidney function tests and cerebrovascular diseases includes the following aspects: abnormal kidney function indicators suggest an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease, reduced kidney function affects cerebrovascular blood flow regulation, kidney injury exacerbates cerebrovascular inflammatory responses, abnormal kidney function and cerebrovascular diseases are both influenced by hypertension, and kidney function tests aid in monitoring the progression of cerebrovascular diseases.

Generally, there is a connection between kidney function tests and cerebrovascular diseases, which can be summarized as follows: abnormal kidney function indicators suggest increased risk of cerebrovascular disease; declining kidney function affects cerebrovascular blood flow regulation; kidney damage exacerbates cerebrovascular inflammatory responses; kidney dysfunction and cerebrovascular diseases are both influenced by hypertension; and kidney function tests aid in monitoring cerebrovascular disease progression. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Abnormal kidney function indicators suggest increased risk of cerebrovascular disease

In kidney function tests, elevated levels of indicators such as serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen indicate decreased kidney excretory function. Accumulation of metabolic waste in the body damages vascular endothelial cells, leading to reduced elasticity of cerebral blood vessels and increasing the likelihood of diseases such as cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, these indicators can be used to preliminarily assess the risk of cerebrovascular disease.

2. Declining kidney function affects cerebrovascular blood flow regulation

The kidneys secrete renin, which regulates blood pressure and circulation. When kidney function declines, renin secretion becomes disordered, leading to abnormal blood pressure fluctuations. Cerebral blood vessels are sensitive to blood pressure changes, and either high or low blood pressure can affect cerebral blood perfusion, causing cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, which can trigger cerebrovascular disease. This demonstrates the close relationship between kidney function and cerebrovascular blood flow regulation.

3. Kidney function damage exacerbates cerebrovascular inflammatory responses

When kidney function is impaired, toxin accumulation in the body activates the immune system, triggering chronic inflammatory responses. Inflammatory factors travel through the bloodstream to cerebral blood vessels, damaging vessel walls and promoting the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. If these plaques detach or rupture, they may block cerebral blood vessels, causing cerebral infarction. Thus, kidney damage can affect cerebrovascular health through inflammatory responses.

4. Kidney dysfunction and cerebrovascular disease are both influenced by hypertension

Long-term hypertension simultaneously damages the kidneys and cerebral blood vessels. For the kidneys, hypertension increases glomerular pressure, damaging kidney structure; for cerebral blood vessels, hypertension thickens and hardens vessel walls, forming atherosclerosis. Therefore, kidney dysfunction and cerebrovascular disease often coexist, both being associated with hypertension as a risk factor.

5. Kidney function tests aid in monitoring cerebrovascular disease progression

For patients with cerebrovascular disease undergoing treatment, regular kidney function testing is crucial. If deteriorating kidney function indicators are detected, this may suggest worsening disease or the need to adjust treatment plans. Circulatory disturbances caused by cerebrovascular disease can affect kidney blood supply, leading to further kidney dysfunction. Monitoring kidney function enables timely assessment of changes in cerebrovascular disease status.

In addition, kidney function tests provide reference information for the prevention of cerebrovascular disease. In daily life, individuals should focus on controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, avoid excessive fatigue, and reduce damage to the kidneys and cerebral blood vessels.

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