A health disorder defined by the in October 2023 shows the complexities and interconnectedness of three of our body鈥檚 systems. Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome may be diagnosed when a patient has the following conditions simultaneously:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney disease
- Metabolic diseases (specifically type 2 diabetes and obesity)
鈥淚t鈥檚 known that kidney disease can cause cardiovascular disease and vice versa,鈥 says Amara Sarwal, MD, MSCI, a nephrologist at 麻豆学生精品版. 鈥淎nd type 2 diabetes and obesity can both increase the risk of kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Although interactions between these diseases have been described previously, we hadn鈥檛 connected all three of them together into one syndrome. Now it鈥檚 thought that the presence or worsening of one disease can lead to the progression of the other two diseases.鈥
Recognizing Risk Factors
It鈥檚 estimated that have three or more CKM syndrome risk factors, which include:
- Obesity
- Excess body fat around your waist
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- High cholesterol
- High triglyceride levels (fat in your blood)
If you have some of these risk factors, you may also experience common symptoms associated with each condition, which include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs or feet
- Pain when walking
- Increased urination
These symptoms can be an early warning sign of CKM syndrome, so it鈥檚 important to see your doctor if you have concerns.
Stages of CKM Syndrome
CKM syndrome is measured in five stages. If you have any risk factors for CKM syndrome, it鈥檚 important to undergo regular screenings. Uncontrolled CKM syndrome can lead to serious health problems like kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Your health care team can help you identify which stage you are currently in and how to avoid progressing to the next stage:
Stage 0: You have no risk factors.
Stage 1: You have early warning signs, like being overweight or having prediabetes.
Stage 2: You may have been diagnosed with metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes. Kidney disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol can start at this stage.
Stage 3: Along with the presence of Stage 2 conditions, early warning signs of cardiovascular disease begin to show, though you may not have many noticeable symptoms.
Stage 4: Noticeable cardiovascular problems begin. You may have suffered a heart attack, stroke, or been diagnosed with heart failure. You may be diagnosed with kidney disease or kidney failure.
鈥淚f someone is diagnosed in earlier stages, there are things that can be implemented to try to prevent progression and even improve stages,鈥 Sarwal says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why regular screening and early intervention plays a major role.鈥
Controlling CKM Syndrome
If you鈥檙e in an early or middle stage of CKM syndrome, the following changes can help get your risk factors under control:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Limit sodium intake
- Get plenty of sleep
- Stay hydrated
- Manage your weight
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
- Take medications prescribed to you
At advanced stages, treatment gets more serious. Depending on your condition, you may need the following procedures:
- Heart surgery or other heart procedures like ablation
- Stents
- Kidney dialysis
- Bariatric surgery
Since CKM syndrome involves many comorbidities and affects multiple organs, it鈥檚 important to work with a health care team that has specialties across each discipline. They will help you design a treatment plan that is right for you to control your risk factors and prevent your condition from worsening.
