You’ve likely heard of heart disease, but have you heard of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome?
A recent survey from the American Heart Association found that nearly 90% of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome. These risks include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, excess weight and reduced kidney function.
CKM syndrome is a newly defined condition that involves the heart, kidneys and metabolic system. The metabolic system creates, uses and stores energy, so it affects both weight and blood sugar levels.
Specifically, CKM syndrome is diagnosed when a person has a combination of heart disease, kidney disease and a metabolic disorder.
Because the heart, kidney and metabolic systems are interdependent, problems in one can worsen the others, raising the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure more than any single factor alone.
Many Americans don’t realize this, though.
Only 12% of adults had heard of CKM health or CKM syndrome prior to the survey. Additionally, 42% believed that a healthy heart would not likely be damaged by other organ systems, or they weren’t sure if it would.
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention, says in an announcement:
“The heart, kidney and metabolic systems are connected and, as such, should be treated in a coordinated way. These results reveal the need to emphasize those connections and help patients understand the importance of collaborative care.”
The American Heart Association says it’ll issue the first clinical guidelines on CKM — which will guide health care providers in preventing and treating the condition — in early 2026.
For now, the association says that changes in eating patterns and physical activity and getting appropriate treatment can reverse CKM syndrome.
Practical steps include routine checks of blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar and kidney function. Lifestyle changes are also key.
The American Heart Association recommends its “Essential 8” checklist for good health. In addition to previously mentioned factors like maintaining a healthy weight and managing blood pressure, this checklist includes:
- Eating a healthy diet (which emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts and seeds, and nontropical oils like olive oil, and minimizes sweetened drinks, alcohol, salt, added sugar, full-fat dairy, processed meats and tropicals like palm oil)
- Getting enough physical activity (including 2.5 hours of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week, and muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week)
- Quitting smoking, vaping and tobacco
- Getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours per night for adults)
“CKM health is about your overall health,” Sanchez says. “It’s a full circle. You can take care of your overall health with regular checks of your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar and kidney function.”
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