Family History

If you have a family member who was ever on dialysis or living with a kidney transplant, then you should be tested for kidney disease.  Even having one family member with kidney failure puts you at risk.  Talk to your doctor about getting tested for kidney disease.  Ask them to figure out your GFR, the best test for kidney disease.

Diabetes and high blood pressure also runs in families.  If you have family with diabetes or high blood pressure, make sure to get tested.  Diabetes and high blood pressure cause three out of four new cases of kidney failure!

More Information

National Kidney Disease Education Program

"Talking to Your Family About Kidney Disease"
http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/patients/kidney_disease_family.htm

Family Reunion Health Program
http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/familyreunion/index.htm

"You Have the Power to Prevent Kidney Disease Video"

Quicktime Version

(Download Quicktime)

RealPlayer Version

(Downloand RealPlayer) 

 Updated on 1/10/2008.