A groundbreaking study has uncovered that one in three U.S. adults has three or more risk factors for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a newly identified condition linking heart, kidney, and metabolic health. Published in JACC: Advances, the research highlights that 80% of the population exhibits some form of CKM, with rates rising in every state over the past 12 years.
Led by Tarang Parekh, an assistant professor at the University of Delaware, the study analyzed data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (2011–2023). It found that West Virginia had the highest CKM prevalence (87%), while Colorado reported the lowest (72%). The Midwest and South showed the most significant rates.
CKM progresses through stages, starting with obesity or prediabetes (Stage 1) and escalating to severe cardiovascular or kidney disease (Stage 4). Although Stage 4 cases declined nationally, Minnesota experienced a troubling increase. Parekh emphasized the need for integrated healthcare approaches to address interconnected risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
“This is an alarming trend resulting from our fragmented healthcare system,” said Parekh. “Without lifestyle changes, one risk factor can snowball into several.” He also stressed the importance of routine screenings and public education to combat CKM’s progression.
To tackle rising CKM rates, the American Heart Association has launched a preventive health initiative in high-risk regions, aiming to improve holistic care. Parekh’s future research will leverage electronic health records and machine learning to predict and mitigate CKM’s impact, offering hope for better management of this pervasive syndrome.
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