Does my kidney number creatinine level affect my risk after a heart attack procedure?
Your creatinine level is a measure of kidney function. After a heart attack procedure like angioplasty (PCI), higher creatinine levels are linked to a higher risk of complications, including death. This risk is especially increased if you also have anemia (low red blood cells).
What the research says
A study of nearly 4,000 patients who had PCI for a heart attack found a J-shaped relationship between creatinine levels and the risk of adverse events 3. This means that both very low and very high creatinine levels were associated with higher risk, but the risk increased sharply as creatinine rose above normal 3. Another large study of over 11,000 heart attack survivors showed that having both kidney dysfunction (measured by creatinine) and anemia significantly increased the risk of death over 10 years 9. In that study, patients with both conditions had a higher risk than those with either condition alone 9. A separate study found that acute kidney injury (a sudden rise in creatinine) after a heart attack is common, occurring in 9.6% to 43.2% of patients, and increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease later 10.
What to ask your doctor
- What is my current creatinine level and how does it affect my recovery after the heart procedure?
- Do I have anemia, and if so, how might that combine with my kidney function to affect my risk?
- What steps can I take to protect my kidneys after a heart attack?
- How often should my kidney function be checked after the procedure?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about this topic and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.