Nephrologist Sumeska Thavarajah, MD, of Johns Hopkins, discusses the complications of kidney disease. Kidney disease can affect the body’s ability to filter blood, balance chemicals, and can lead to heart and blood vessel problems, anemia, bone damage, malnutrition, depression, and progressive kidney failure. High blood pressure and diabetes are the top causes of kidney disease and are also associated with strokes, heart attacks, and circulation issues. Depression is a common side effect of kidney disease, often due to the difficulty in coping with the diagnosis and treatment decisions. Dr Thavarajah emphasizes the importance of discussing these issues with healthcare providers and utilizing available resources.