By Annette Pinder 

Most people think of heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity as separate health problems. Increasingly, experts are recognizing that they are deeply connected. 

The American Heart Association (AHA) calls this connection cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic, or CKM, syndrome. According to the AHA, CKM describes the interplay among cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. When one of these systems is affected, it can place added stress on the others, creating a cycle that increases the risk of serious illness. 

The numbers are startling. A 2024 study published in JAMA found that nearly 90% of U.S. adults met the criteria for CKM syndrome at Stage 1 or higher, while about 15% had advanced CKM syndrome. Stage 1 can include excess weight, increased waist circumference, or prediabetes—conditions many people may not realize are already affecting their long-term health. 

The AHA describes CKM syndrome in stages, ranging from Stage 0, with no identified risk factors, to Stage 4, which includes established cardiovascular disease and may include serious kidney disease. The goal is to identify risk early, before significant organ damage occurs. 

The good news is that CKM health can improve. The American Heart Association recommends paying close attention to blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, and kidney function. Healthy eating, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, avoiding tobacco, and appropriate medical care can help slow—or sometimes reverse—progression. 

CKM syndrome changes the way we think about chronic disease. Rather than treating the heart, kidneys, weight, and blood sugar as separate concerns, physicians are increasingly looking at the whole person. 

Regular checkups and early screening matter. Knowing your numbers today may help protect your heart, kidneys, and overall health for years to come.