What lifestyle modifications should I advise for patients diagnosed with cardiorenal syndrome to improve their outcomes?

Lifestyle modifications for patients with cardiorenal syndrome should focus on optimizing cardiovascular and renal health through the following:

• Encourage regular physical exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness and help maintain a healthy weight, which can slow CKD progression and improve heart function.
• Advise smoking cessation as smoking is a risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and CKD progression.
• Promote a healthy diet tailored to the severity of kidney disease, including managing salt intake to control blood pressure, and monitoring potassium, phosphate, calorie, and protein intake to prevent malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances.
• Support weight management to reduce cardiovascular strain and improve metabolic parameters.
• Provide education and support to enable self-management, including understanding their condition, medication adherence, and lifestyle changes.

These lifestyle interventions should be delivered alongside specialist dietary advice and psychological support as needed to improve adherence and outcomes.

Overall, these modifications aim to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, slow kidney disease progression, and improve quality of life in patients with cardiorenal syndrome.

References: NICE NG203,NICE NG107