About 90 percent of Americans are at risk of a potentially life-threatening condition that they have never heard of, researchers say.
Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome is a newly named disorder that recognizes how conditions such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure can damage the heart, kidneys, brain and liver, rather than affecting just one in isolation.
These organ systems are connected and function together. When one is functioning poorly, it can make the others worse, creating a cycle that puts health at risk.
Researchers warn that having the condition raises the risk of heart attack, strokes and heart failure more than any one of them alone. In serious cases, it can reduce life expectancy by seven years.
Dr Eduardo Sanchez, a cardiologist and the chief medical officer at the American Heart Association, which coined the term, said: ‘We want people to know that it’s really common to have heart, kidney and metabolic risk factors at the same time.
‘The heart, kidney and metabolic systems are connected and, as such, should be treated in a coordinated way.
‘The condition emphasizes those connections and helps patients understand the importance of collaborative care.’
Despite the risks, however, surveys suggest that nine in 10 Americans have never heard of the condition.
Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome is a newly named disorder from the American Heart Association
It was first named in 2023 and, last month, the first guidelines were published for physicians on how to identify and manage the condition.
CKM affects almost all Americans because it is broadly defined to catch everyone on the continuum, from those who might feel well but have early metabolic risk factors to those already suffering from heart disease.
More than 110 million adults in the US have high blood pressure, while 100 million are obese and 40 million have diabetes, of which 90 percent have type 2.
CKM is split into four stages.
In the first stage, patients feel well, but may have extra fat, especially in the belly area, and slightly elevated blood sugar, or prediabetes.
Patients in this stage have a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or higher and have a waist circumference larger than 34.6 inches (88 centimeters) for women or 40.1in (102cm) for men.
In the second stage, patients have been diagnosed with other conditions that are often due to having extra fat tissue. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high fat levels in the blood and metabolic syndrome.
In the third stage, patients have presymptomatic heart disease, such as atherosclerosis or heart failure, but may not have been diagnosed due to a lack of symptoms.
In stage four, patients have been diagnosed with heart disease or suffered from a heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease or heart failure.
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of the disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, feet, hands or ankles and pain in the legs while walking.
Those who are obese, have extra fat around their waist, high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes or metabolic syndrome are most at risk.
The disease is caused by a buildup of extra fat tissue that releases substances that inflame or damage tissues in the heart, kidneys and arteries, making the kidneys less effective and raising the risk that plaque and kidney damage develops.
A 2026 study warned that those with CKM stage four live nearly seven years less than those who do not have the disease.
Doctors diagnose the disease using tests for high blood pressure, blood sugar levels, kidney function and other measures.
Often, the disease can be treated using lifestyle interventions – such as changes to diet and exercise – to reduce excess body fat.
In later stages, patients may also receive medications to help manage blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar. At advanced stages, surgeries for the heart, kidneys or weight loss may be offered.
Sanchez added: ‘CKM health is about your overall health.
‘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.’
