Nearly 90 percent of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a condition that links heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Despite the high prevalence of these interconnected health risks, a survey conducted in August 2025 reveals that approximately 9 in 10 adults have not heard of the syndrome. The survey, which included about 4,000 U.S. adults, was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association.
Understanding the CKM Syndrome Connection
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome is a disorder caused by the connections between heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) for the first time in October 2023, the designation reflects how these conditions can influence or worsen each other. Mass General Brigham explains that while these health conditions were previously considered separate problems and often managed separately, the new designation aims to help people understand that they are closely connected. CKM health includes the heart, kidneys, and the metabolic system, which is responsible for creating, using, and storing energy, affecting both weight and blood glucose levels. When one of these systems functions poorly, it can create a cycle that makes the others worse, putting health at serious risk.
According to a study published in JAMA, nearly 90 percent of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome, including high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood glucose (sugar), excess weight, and reduced kidney function. The American Heart Association warns that the interplay of these risk factors increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure more than any one of them alone. In a 2023 interview with CBS New York, cardiologist Dr. Nidhi Kumar noted that 33% of Americans have three or more risk factors contributing to the syndrome. “When we think of danger in medicine, sometimes people think of the words ‘cancer’ or ‘COVID,’ but chronic diseases, like those that make up CKM, are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States,” Kumar said.
Public Awareness Gaps and Misconceptions
While the condition is widespread, the public remains largely unfamiliar with the terminology. Data from the August 2025 survey shows that only 12% of U.S. adults had heard of CKM health or CKM syndrome. However, there is a clear appetite for information; 79% of respondents agreed that it is important to understand more about CKM health, and 72% expressed interest in learning more. Specifically, people are most interested in learning about how CKM syndrome is diagnosed (71%) and treated (72%).
Misconceptions regarding management remain common. According to the American Heart Association’s report, 68% of U.S. adults incorrectly believe it is best to manage individual conditions one at a time or are unsure of the best way to manage them. Furthermore, 42% of those surveyed believed that a healthy heart would not likely be damaged by other organ systems or were unsure of the connection.
The Shift Toward Collaborative Care
Medical professionals are pushing for a more holistic approach to patient care to address these systemic risks. Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention, emphasizes that shifting the perspective on chronic disease is essential. “The heart, kidney and metabolic systems are connected and, as such, should be treated in a coordinated way,” Sanchez said. “These results reveal the need to emphasize those connections and help patients understand the importance of collaborative care.”
Sanchez noted that the response to the new definition has been positive. “It is reassuring that once the CKM connection was defined nearly three-quarters of those responding understood that it was important and wanted to learn more,” Sanchez said. The Cleveland Clinic adds that researchers are hoping for a future where everyone receives holistic treatment for CKM syndrome instead of treatment for one body system at a time.
Tools for Prevention and Future Guidelines
For most individuals, CKM syndrome is reversible with changes to eating patterns, physical activity, and appropriate treatment. The American Heart Association’s CKM Health Initiative is currently providing a website and educational resources to help people understand these connections and take action early to prevent heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. The Association is also working with healthcare teams across the country to improve collaboration among professionals who care for patients living with multiple health conditions.
The organization is preparing to formalize its approach to the condition. The Association will issue the first-ever guidelines on CKM syndrome in early 2026. To diagnose the syndrome, providers test different risk factors to determine a patient’s stage from 0 to 4. Stage 0 indicates no risk factors, while Stage 4 indicates the presence of heart disease with symptoms, extra body fat, and risk factors for diabetes or other metabolic conditions, which may also include kidney disease.
Patients interested in managing their health are encouraged to consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar, and kidney function. Health care professionals can access resources on interdisciplinary care and information about joining the CKM Health Initiative at heart.org/CKMtools.
