What You Need To Know About Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome

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. 

CKM in Numbers

Recent research shows:

• 90% of patients in the U.S. have CKM stage 1 or higher.
• Adults over 65 years old are more likely to have this syndrome.
• CKM is more common in Black adults than in other ethnicities.
• CKM is more common in men than women.
• Almost 80% of young adults already have CKM risk factors.

CKM can lead to heart failure, heart attack, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. 

How Does CKM Develop?

The exact mechanisms underlying CKM syndrome are complex and multifaceted, but several key factors contribute to its development:

• Obesity: Excess weight often leads to insulin resistance, a condition where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. This can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, which is a major risk factor for CKM syndrome.   
• Type 2 diabetes: High blood sugar levels associated with type 2 diabetes can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the heart, kidneys, and eyes. This damage can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and other complications.   
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): CKD can result from a variety of factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain autoimmune diseases. When the kidneys are unable to function properly, they may not be able to effectively filter waste products from the blood, which can lead to a buildup of toxins that can damage the heart and other organs.   
• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): CVD is a broad term that encompasses conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. It is often associated with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking, which can also contribute to the development of CKM syndrome.   

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.

Treating CKM

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.

Take Action

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:

• What Is CKM Syndrome and Could You Have It?
• Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health
• Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association
• Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome: A state-of-the-art review
• American Kidney Fund: Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome