A new survey shows that most people in the U.S. have never heard of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a serious and common health problem that affects almost 90% of adults.
This condition links together heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, and obesity. It may be new to the public, but it’s extremely important to understand—because it puts millions at risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
The American Heart Association, which aims to improve health for everyone, conducted the survey. Out of about 4,000 adults surveyed, nearly 9 out of 10 said they had never heard of CKM syndrome. But once they were told about it, almost three-quarters said they believed it was important and wanted to learn more.
CKM syndrome is not one single disease. Instead, it’s a group of related health issues that work together and make each other worse. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, extra body weight, and reduced kidney function. Most adults in the U.S. have at least one of these risk factors, and many have more than one.
The heart, kidneys, and metabolic system (which controls how the body uses sugar and energy) are all connected. If one of them is not working well, it can drag the others down too. For example, high blood pressure makes the heart work harder and also damages the kidneys.
Poor kidney function makes it harder to manage blood pressure. High blood sugar from diabetes can hurt both the heart and kidneys. Together, these issues create a dangerous cycle that can lead to major health problems if left untreated.
The good news is that CKM syndrome can often be reversed. With healthy changes to your diet, regular physical activity, and the right medical care, people can manage or even avoid these conditions.
Still, many people don’t realize how connected these systems are. In the survey, 68% of adults thought it was best to treat these conditions one at a time or weren’t sure. Even worse, 42% believed that if their heart was healthy, problems in other organs wouldn’t matter—or they weren’t sure.
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association, says that we need to treat the heart, kidneys, and metabolism as one connected system. “These results show how important it is to help people understand these links,” he said. “Collaborative care can make a big difference.”
People who were surveyed said they want to learn more—especially about how CKM syndrome is diagnosed and treated. The American Heart Association is answering that call.
They’ve launched a CKM Health Initiative, which includes a website and tools to help people learn what to do. They’re also working with doctors, nurses, and clinics to improve the way care is delivered to people with multiple health issues.
A simple video explains how it all works. The heart pumps blood. The metabolic system uses sugar in the blood to make energy. That process creates waste, which is cleaned up by the kidneys. The kidneys also help manage blood pressure, which affects how well the heart can do its job. If one part of this system breaks down, the others follow.
Dr. Sanchez reminds everyone that caring for CKM health means paying attention to the basics: regular checks of your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar, and kidney function.
The first official medical guidelines on CKM syndrome will be released in early 2026. In the meantime, people can take steps now to understand their own health risks and start making changes.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that Changing blood pressure readings is a hidden sign of heart disease and common type 2 diabetes drugs may raise heart risk.
For more about heart health, please read studies about root cause of heart rhythm disorders and Warning signal from the kidneys can predict future heart failure risk.
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