Health Discoveries in General Health News
Kidney stones linked to risk of clogged arteries
January 28, 2011
The development of kidney stones in young adults may be linked to an increased risk of clogged arteries, according to the January issue of the Journal of Urology.
A study at the University of California at San Francisco involved more than 5000 young adults, ages 18 to 30, who were examined at regular intervals over 20 years. During the 20-year exam, the researchers analyzed the thickness of the participants' carotid artery walls.
While only about 4 percent of people developed kidney stones during the study, those who did were 60 percent more likely to have clogged arteries, compared to those who hadn't developed kidney stones.
Dr. Marshall Stoller, a professor of urology at the university, said kidney stones are generally thought of as a urinary problem, but that the kidney can also show signs of problems in the arteries. "We need to be cognizant of the fact that the kidney is a blood filter," he said.
The Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension at both the North Shore University Hospital and the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, the research hospitals of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, have comprehensive medical services and research programs on both diabetic and polycystic kidney disease.
A study at the University of California at San Francisco involved more than 5000 young adults, ages 18 to 30, who were examined at regular intervals over 20 years. During the 20-year exam, the researchers analyzed the thickness of the participants' carotid artery walls.
While only about 4 percent of people developed kidney stones during the study, those who did were 60 percent more likely to have clogged arteries, compared to those who hadn't developed kidney stones.
Dr. Marshall Stoller, a professor of urology at the university, said kidney stones are generally thought of as a urinary problem, but that the kidney can also show signs of problems in the arteries. "We need to be cognizant of the fact that the kidney is a blood filter," he said.
The Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension at both the North Shore University Hospital and the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, the research hospitals of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, have comprehensive medical services and research programs on both diabetic and polycystic kidney disease.