The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, along with two other leading medical organizations, released new clinical guidelines on Jun. 9 aimed at preventing and managing cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. This set of interconnected health conditions significantly increases the risk of multiorgan complications and negative cardiovascular outcomes.
Nearly 90% of U.S. adults have at least one CKM syndrome risk factor, which includes excess weight, high blood pressure, abnormal lipids, high blood glucose, or reduced kidney function. The new guideline provides recommendations to help clinicians and individuals identify CKM syndrome risk earlier and take action to protect long-term heart, metabolic, and kidney health. The clinical practice guideline was published in Circulation, the flagship peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association, as well as in JACC from the American College of Cardiology.
According to recent statistics from both organizations, 40% of U.S. adults and 21% of children and adolescents in the country have obesity—defined as excess body fat that presents a risk to health. Obesity is a known risk factor for high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease.
The guideline outlines four stages of CKM syndrome that identify varying levels of risk. These stages are intended to help tailor prevention strategies that can slow or even reverse progression of CKM syndrome.
Lifestyle modification is emphasized as a key preventive measure in the guideline. "Taking action early can help prevent a heart attack, heart failure, stroke or kidney failure." Individuals are encouraged to follow Life's Essential 8—measures recommended by the American Heart Association—to improve and maintain cardiovascular health.
The guideline was developed by the joint committee on clinical practice guidelines led by both associations in collaboration with—and endorsed by—the American Diabetes Association; the Obesity Society; and the American Society of Nephrology.
