90 percent of U.S. adults have this syndrome - but most have never heard of it

Key Points:

• CKM syndrome, recently defined by the American Heart Association in 2023, describes the overlapping conditions of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases linked by common risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol, and reduced kidney function.
• The syndrome progresses through four stages, from early risk factors like excess fat and metabolic dysfunction to severe outcomes including heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention.
• CKM syndrome affects approximately 90% of U.S. adults, reflecting a broad spectrum from asymptomatic risk to advanced disease, with lifestyle factors and environmental conditions playing significant roles in its development.
• Treatment focuses on lifestyle changes such as a Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation, alongside medications like metformin, statins, ACE inhibitors, and newer drugs including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors that provide multi-organ benefits.
• The CKM framework aims to improve prevention and management by identifying at-risk individuals early and using therapies that address interconnected organ systems, potentially reducing hospitalizations and extending life expectancy.