MediCure
The American Heart Association (AHA) has identified a new medical condition that links heart disease to several other health conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. The condition is called cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM), and it is defined as a combination of any two of the following conditions:
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- Obesity (defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher)
- Diabetes (defined as having fasting blood glucose levels of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher, or taking medication for diabetes)
- Hypertension (defined as having blood pressure of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or higher)
- Dyslipidemia (defined as having abnormal levels of cholesterol or triglycerides)
- Chronic kidney disease (defined as having a kidney function estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters for three months or longer)
The AHA estimates that one in three American adults has CKM syndrome. The condition is more common in people who are overweight or obese, have a family history of heart disease, or are African American or Hispanic.
CKM syndrome is a serious condition because it increases the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems. People with CKM syndrome are twice as likely to die from heart disease as people without the condition.
There is no cure for CKM syndrome, but there are things that people can do to manage the condition and reduce their risk of developing complications. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Losing weight if overweight or obese
- Taking medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels
If you have CKM syndrome, it is important to see your doctor regularly for checkups and screenings. Your doctor can help you develop a plan to manage your condition and reduce your risk of complications.
Why is CKM syndrome important?
CKM syndrome is important because it is a new way of thinking about the relationship between obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Traditionally, these conditions have been viewed as separate entities. However, CKM syndrome recognizes that these conditions are interconnected and that they share common risk factors.
CKM syndrome is also important because it provides a framework for developing new treatments and prevention strategies. For example, researchers are developing new medications that target multiple aspects of CKM syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
What can people do to reduce their risk of developing CKM syndrome?
There are several things that people can do to reduce their risk of developing CKM syndrome, including:
- Eating a healthy diet: A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It is also important to limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated and unhealthy fats.
- Exercising regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Losing weight if overweight or obese: Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your risk of developing CKM syndrome.
- Taking medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels: If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, it is important to take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
