High Environmental Heat Exposure Is a Risk Factor for Acute Kidney Injury and Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology has been reported in Mesoamerican regions and other parts of the world, with increasing evidence pointing to heat stress as a central contributing factor. The incidence of acute kidney injury appears to correlate strongly with heat exposure, as demonstrated in both human and animal studies. The underlying mechanisms of heat-induced kidney injury are likely multifactorial, involving hemodynamic changes, immune responses, and possibly coagulopathies. However, the precise pathways remain unclear, highlighting the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and for developing strategies to prevent or mitigate renal damage. This is particularly important not only for heat-exposed occupational groups, such as agricultural workers, military personnel, and athletes, but also for the general population, who are increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat events every year.