Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important problems of public health, worldwide. Anemia is frequent in CKD, affecting approximately 90% of patients. The relationship between anemia and cardiovascular disease is well established and is due to alterations in left ventricular structure and function. Anemia per se can lead to significant cardiac morbidity in the absence of renal disease and is an independent risk factor for cardiac complication in the patient with renal insufficiency. The present review evaluates the inter-relations between anemia, heart failure and renal disease, which were recently included in the so-called cardio-renal anemia syndrome.