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Who Can Get Renal Failure?

The function of the kidneys is to filter the blood to remove excess fluids and wastes. Acute renal (kidney) failure is when the kidneys lose the ability to conserve electrolytes, concentrate urine and remove waste. As the condition slowly worsens, chronic renal failure occurs and may gradually lead to end-stage renal disease.

Although renal failure is classified as a disease of a certain race or group of people, certain people are at an increased risk for developing renal failure. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and seniors are among those at a higher risk for developing renal failure, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

  1. African Americans

    • According to the National Kidney Disease Education Program, although African Americans make up 12 percent of the population, 32 percent have renal failure. Among new patients with renal failure caused by high blood pressure, 51.2 percent are African Americans and of new patients with renal failure caused by diabetes, 31.3 percent are African Americans.

    Hispanic Americans

    • According to the National Kidney Foundation, Hispanic Americans have a high percentage of diagnosed diabetes cases. Diabetes is the most common cause of renal failure. Chronic renal failure is considered a serious health problem for Hispanic Americans. Of all newly diagnosed cases of renal failure, 11 percent of the patients are Hispanic Americans.

      Another major cause for chronic renal failure in Hispanic Americans is AIDS. Hispanic Americans make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population; of all diagnosed AIDS cases, they account for 20 percent of the cases, according to DaVita Dialysis Treatment Center.

    Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

    • According to the American Kidney Fund, 21,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have renal failure as a result of diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension). Diabetes is a severe problem for some groups of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in certain parts of the country. In California and Hawaii, Pacific Islanders, native Hawaiians and Asians develop diabetes more often than Caucasian Americans.

      Also confirmed by the American Kidney Fund, high blood pressure is the second leading cause of renal failure. High blood pressure is also a common condition for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Out of every five Asian American and Pacific Islander adults, at least one has high blood pressure.

    Native Americans

    • The American Kidney Fund confirms Native Americans as having an increased risk of renal failure, due to high blood pressure and diabetes. Out of every eight Native Americans age 18 or older, at least one person has diabetes. Causing serious problems for Native Americans, diabetes is the leading cause of renal failure in the United States.

      Native Americans also suffer from high blood pressure, the second most common cause of renal failure. Of all Native Americans, 30 percent have high blood pressure, also confirmed by the American Kidney Fund.

    Seniors

    • Among the elderly, the most common causes of renal failure are diabetes, hypertension, urinary tract obstruction or cancer. Long-term use of certain drugs or medications has also been known to cause renal failure among the elderly. On average, the age of a newly diagnosed renal failure patient is 63, according to the American Kidney Fund.

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