New ESC Guidelines Aim to Break the Cycle of Heart and Kidney Disease
The European Society of Cardiology and the European Renal Association have released their first-ever joint guidelines on managing cardiovascular disease alongside chronic kidney disease, published on August 28, 2026, in the European Heart Journal. Developed for presentation at the ESC Congress 2026, the guidance addresses an estimated 100 million people across Europe living with chronic kidney disease, a condition that substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular complications. According to the organizations, heart disease and kidney disease can accelerate one another, resulting in cardiovascular events and dialysis much earlier in life if left unchecked.
Screening and Early Testing Strategies for Heart Patients
To combat the overlapping dangers of these conditions, the new guidelines urge clinicians to screen every patient diagnosed with cardiovascular disease for chronic kidney disease. According to the Task Force, this screening process involves a blood test for estimated glomerular filtration rate derived from blood creatinine, alongside a urine test for albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Professor William Herrington of the University of Oxford, who served as a Task Force Chair, noted that many patients with chronic kidney disease receive treatment primarily from the cardiology community, making expanded testing essential for identifying at-risk individuals early.
The STAMP on CKD Framework
The Task Force organized its recommendations around an acronym known as STAMP on CKD, which stands for Screen, Triage, Address CKD Risk, Modify CVD management, and Plan health services. Following initial screening, the triage phase focuses on assessing a patient’s risk of progressing to kidney failure alongside evaluating overall cardiovascular risk using validated scoring tools that incorporate kidney function. Addressing risk involves introducing cost-effective, proven therapies early to slow kidney disease progression and prevent heart events. Associate Professor Kevin Damman from University Medical Centre Groningen, who also chaired the Task Force, explained that drugs such as RAS inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors, alongside statin-based therapy, are particularly effective.
Coordinating Multispecialty Care and Treatment Modifications
Because reduced kidney function impairs the body’s ability to clear certain medications, the guidelines provide specific instructions on how to adjust cardiovascular treatments safely. They also emphasize structured planning for health services to ensure high-risk patients receive timely care from both cardiologists and nephrologists. Professor Herrington noted that active communication between medical specialties is often necessary due to the complexities of chronic kidney disease. Alongside the professional document, the Task Force has developed a patient version of the guidelines to help individuals and caregivers participate more confidently in shared healthcare decisions.