High uric acid can lead to chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular risk, gout: Doctors

Persistently high levels of uric acid in the blood, a condition medically known as hyperuricemia, are raising serious health concerns, with doctors warning of its potential to cause chronic kidney disease (CKD), increase cardiovascular risk, and trigger painful attacks of gout.

- JAHANGEER GANAIE

Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines—substances found in many foods such as red meat, organ meats, seafood, and alcoholic beverages. While it is normally eliminated through urine, excessive production or reduced excretion can lead to accumulation in the blood.

Speaking to the news agency, Dr Muneer Ahmad, a nephrologist, said that unchecked uric acid levels not only cause gout but can also silently damage kidneys over time, leading to chronic kidney disease. “There is also growing evidence linking hyperuricemia to hypertension, heart disease, and metabolic disorders,” he said.