DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2025 — About 9 in 10 U.S. adults have not heard of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a newly defined health condition affecting nearly 90% of adults that includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity, according to a new survey from the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere. However, many are interested in learning more about it.
Nearly 90% 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 interplay of these risk factors increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and heart failure more than any one of them alone. For most of them, CKM syndrome is reversible with changes to their eating pattern, physical activity and appropriate treatment.
“We want people to know that it’s really common to have heart, kidney and metabolic risk factors at the same time. 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,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention.
CKM health includes the heart, kidneys and metabolic system (responsible for creating, using and storing energy, which affects weight and blood glucose level). These systems are connected and function together. When one system is functioning poorly, it can make the others worse. This creates a cycle that puts your health at serious risk for CKM syndrome. The Association will issue the first ever guidelines on CKM syndrome in early 2026.
Key findings from the new survey:
12% of U.S. adults had heard of CKM health or CKM syndrome
