The Rising Threat of CKM Syndrome: A New Heart Disease Risk

The American Heart Association has introduced a new term, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM), to describe the simultaneous presence of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. CKM is intended to serve as a diagnosis indicating a high risk of dying from heart disease. Approximately one-third of US adults have at least three risk factors for heart disease, metabolic disorders, or kidney disease. The stages of CKM syndrome range from no risk factors to advanced cardiovascular disease, with corresponding recommendations for screening, lifestyle changes, and medication management. The goal is to identify individuals at early stages of CKM syndrome and implement protective therapies to prevent and manage heart disease effectively.