FGF23 and carotid atherosclerosis: Furthermore, FGF-23 levels in the serum were also associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), regarding ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction and heart failure, and these associations were not limited to patients with impaired kidney function [19,20]; FGF-23 levels were shown to have a more significant burden of carotid atherosclerosis independent of CKD [21].