Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue affecting about 10% of the world's population, with 850 million people affected, mostly in low- to middle-income countries. Key risk factors include age, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, proteinuria, dyslipidemia, and environmental factors like dietary salt intake and pollution. This narrative review focuses on age, hypertension, salt intake, obesity, and sympathetic overactivity as significant risk factors for CKD progression. Aging is a major non-modifiable risk factor, while hypertension, salt intake, obesity, and sympathetic overactivity are modifiable. Managing these factors can slow CKD progression and improve patient outcomes. Hypertension, especially salt-sensitive, worsens CKD through mechanisms like glomerular hypertension and inflammation. Reducing salt intake can lower blood pressure and proteinuria. Obesity increases CKD risk through mechanisms like insulin resistance and hemodynamic changes. Sympathetic overactivity contributes to renal damage and cardiovascular risk. Addressing these modifiable factors is crucial for preventing and managing CKD, with lifestyle changes, medications, and targeted interventions playing key roles.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue affecting about 10% of the world's population, with 850 million people affected, mostly in low- to middle-income countries. Key risk factors include age, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, proteinuria, dyslipidemia, and environmental factors like dietary salt intake and pollution. This narrative review focuses on age, hypertension, salt intake, obesity, and sympathetic overactivity as significant risk factors for CKD progression. Aging is a major non-modifiable risk factor, while hypertension, salt intake, obesity, and sympathetic overactivity are modifiable. Managing these factors can slow CKD progression and improve patient outcomes. Hypertension, especially salt-sensitive, worsens CKD through mechanisms like glomerular hypertension and inflammation. Reducing salt intake can lower blood pressure and proteinuria. Obesity increases CKD risk through mechanisms like insulin resistance and hemodynamic changes. Sympathetic overactivity contributes to renal damage and cardiovascular risk. Addressing these modifiable factors is crucial for preventing and managing CKD, with lifestyle changes, medications, and targeted interventions playing key roles.