This review summarizes the available evidence concerning the relationship between renal dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in non-diabetic patients. Based on numerous studies, there remains no more doubt today, that even minor renal dysfunction, as reflected by microalbuminuria and/or decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate, causes a dramatic increase in cardiovascular risk. Renal dysfunction as a novel risk indicator should be incorporated into currently used algorithms to assess risk factor profile, not to the least because evaluation of renal function helps to select the most appropriate strategy to reduce the cardiovascular risk.