The most common cause of death for people with chronic kidney disease is heart disease. Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a condition that affects the heart, kidneys, brain, and liver, and it is characterized by a complex interplay between obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular disease.
Recent research shows:
CKM can lead to heart failure, heart attack, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and stroke.
The exact mechanisms underlying CKM syndrome are complex and multifaceted, but several key factors contribute to its development:
1 in 3 U.S. adults has three or more risk factors for this syndrome. These conditions are interconnected and can exacerbate one another. For example, high blood pressure can damage the kidneys, leading to CKD, which in turn can increase the risk of heart disease. Similarly, type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of both heart disease and CKD.
It's important to note that while CKM syndrome is a serious condition, with proper management, it can be effectively controlled. Regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and appropriate medical interventions can help individuals with CKM syndrome improve their quality of life and reduce their risk of complications.
One of the most important ways to prevent CKM is by maintaining a healthy weight and an active lifestyle. Because many young adults already have risk factors, it’s important to implement good health choices early. The earlier you can implement lifestyle changes, the earlier you can prevent conditions leading to CKM syndrome.
“When we think about a healthy diet and regular exercise, these are not only opportunities to prevent cardiovascular disease. They’re opportunities to prevent just about every condition along this CKM spectrum — cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes,”
For those patients with advanced stages of CKM, there are more serious treatment options: medications that manage cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and obesity. Dialysis may be necessary, and working with a nutritionist is recommended.
The clustering of these conditions (heart, kidney, metabolic) is becoming more common. Experts have found that patients with heart disease often have a higher chance of developing kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Similarly, people with kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, or obesity also have a higher chance of developing heart disease.
If you have any of these health conditions, speak with your doctor and work on making healthy lifestyle changes.
To learn more about kidney disease, visit our HealthTree site HERE.
Sources:
The most common cause of death for people with chronic kidney disease is heart disease. Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a condition that affects the heart, kidneys, brain, and liver, and it is characterized by a complex interplay between obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular disease.
Recent research shows:
CKM can lead to heart failure, heart attack, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and stroke.
The exact mechanisms underlying CKM syndrome are complex and multifaceted, but several key factors contribute to its development:
1 in 3 U.S. adults has three or more risk factors for this syndrome. These conditions are interconnected and can exacerbate one another. For example, high blood pressure can damage the kidneys, leading to CKD, which in turn can increase the risk of heart disease. Similarly, type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of both heart disease and CKD.
It's important to note that while CKM syndrome is a serious condition, with proper management, it can be effectively controlled. Regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and appropriate medical interventions can help individuals with CKM syndrome improve their quality of life and reduce their risk of complications.
One of the most important ways to prevent CKM is by maintaining a healthy weight and an active lifestyle. Because many young adults already have risk factors, it’s important to implement good health choices early. The earlier you can implement lifestyle changes, the earlier you can prevent conditions leading to CKM syndrome.
“When we think about a healthy diet and regular exercise, these are not only opportunities to prevent cardiovascular disease. They’re opportunities to prevent just about every condition along this CKM spectrum — cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes,”
For those patients with advanced stages of CKM, there are more serious treatment options: medications that manage cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and obesity. Dialysis may be necessary, and working with a nutritionist is recommended.
The clustering of these conditions (heart, kidney, metabolic) is becoming more common. Experts have found that patients with heart disease often have a higher chance of developing kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Similarly, people with kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, or obesity also have a higher chance of developing heart disease.
If you have any of these health conditions, speak with your doctor and work on making healthy lifestyle changes.
To learn more about kidney disease, visit our HealthTree site HERE.
Sources:
about the author
Lisa Foster
Lisa Foster is a mom of 3 daughters, a puzzle lover, writer and HealthTree advocate. She believes in the mission of the foundation and the team that builds it forward. She calls Houston, Texas home.
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