Most adults know nothing about CKM syndrome—but it impacts nearly everyone
Back in 2023, the American Heart Association (AHA) coined a new term to describe the close relationships between cardiovascular disease (CVD), kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity: cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.
CKM syndrome involves nearly every major organ in the body, the AHA explained. Patients with CVD often face a heightened risk of developing kidney disease, type 2 diabetes or obesity. Also, patients with any of those three conditions may face a heightened risk of CVD.
More than two years later, the AHA’s message has yet to make a significant impact on the general public. However, new survey data suggests there is a reason to be hopeful.
According to an August 2025 survey, just 12% of U.S. adults have heard of CKM syndrome. The good news, though, is that 79% of respondents said it is important to know more about the way these different health conditions interact with one another. And 72% indicated they were interested in learning more.
“We want people to know that it’s really common to have heart, kidney and metabolic risk factors at the same time,” Eduardo Sanchez, MD, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention, said in a statement. “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.”
It is clear why Sanchez and the rest of the AHA are so eager to spread the word; nearly 90% of adults are believed to already have at least one risk factor of CKM syndrome.
The AHA is focused on educating the public through a variety of educational resources. In addition, the group continues to work with hospitals and health systems to ensure physicians are collaborating with one another.
“The heart, kidney and metabolic systems are connected and, as such, should be treated in a coordinated way,” Sanchez said in the same statement.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.