OHIO — It’s a silent killer impacting 37 million people in the United States and more than 1.3 million Ohioans.
One of many alarming parts about chronic kidney disease is the fact that a majority of people have no idea they have it until it’s too late.
The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is teaming up with Davita’s Bridge of Life to bring fast and accessible testing to the community.
“Well I love to stay healthy, that’s that only way I can catch women,” said Edward Mueller with a joking laugh while getting his blood pressure taken.
Mueller’s doctor wants him to keep an eye on his kidney health.
“I said, ‘let’s go for a free screening. Can’t beat that, free,’” he said.
“Our high risk people are going to be anyone that has high blood pressure and has diabetes as well. So, especially if you fall under those two categories you want to be screened just to be aware. Of course it could be hereditary as well,” said Lexy Harrington the Senior Director of Wellness Experience at YMCA of Greater Cincinnati.
No insurance or ID is required. People get results immediately, and there’s even a provider on standby to talk.
“It doesn’t involve much work, so why not,” said participant Barbara Scarr.
“This screening today is looking at blood glucose. We’re looking at blood pressure, as well as BMI. Those are some of the contributing factors for chronic kidney disease, as well as your creatinine, which looks at your kidney health function,” said Bethlehem Besrat with Bridge of Life.
After the tests, participants can take the results to their doctor to discuss what’s next.
“As you get older, you just feel you should stay on top of things,” said Scarr.
Even if you get blood tests regularly, a second look can be crucial no matter how old you are.
“Treatment for kidney health is dialysis or a kidney transplant, so we want to catch this earlier on,” Besrat said.
Out of the 1.3 million Ohioans with chronic kidney disease, only about 150,000 know they have it.
More than 27,000 people in Ohio are living with kidney failure, and thousands are starting dialysis.
“There’s no signs or symptoms until it’s really progressed so far along that there’s not much that we can do, so this is the time to do it and just know your numbers, be aware of it. It takes 20 minutes to just get screened,” said Harrington.
For Mueller, he’s glad he safety aside those 20 minutes.
“I got a number here it’s 76 and that’s a C. I need to get that a little higher, right?” he said. “This goes more in-depth than my doctor, so that’s one of the reasons why I came, to get a second opinion and hopefully get better results.”
If you missed the opportunity for a screening at the YMCA in Blue Ash, there is another opportunity from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at R.C. Durr YMCA.
No appointments are required, and screening is free.
