Heat Stress and Kidney Injury: A Growing Concern Amidst Climate Change

Rising global temperatures owing to climate change have direct and harmful effects on kidney health, mainly through heat stress and related acute kidney injury. Despite growing clinical evidence, the nephrology community has yet to incorporate environmental stressors into risk models and guidelines fully. This perspective examines the link between heat stress and kidney injury, identifies vulnerable groups, and discusses long-term effects, including the progression of chronic kidney disease. Drawing on epidemiological data, clinical experience, and real-world observations, we advocate the urgent adoption of preventive measures, enhanced clinical training, and climate-aware policies to address the emerging kidney crisis. In addition, this perspective seeks to increase awareness of the risks associated with rising temperatures worldwide, especially in low-income areas, and the risk of heat-related acute kidney injury and kidney disease. It summarizes the concept of heat stress and its impact on kidney health-particularly among high-risk groups, such as those working indoors and outdoors-and the potential mechanisms by which heat stress affects the kidneys. Factors contributing to heat-related kidney disease include dehydration, heat acclimation, age, and other variables. We also outline prevention strategies to lower this risk.