Newly Defined CKM Syndrome Affects Nearly 90% of U.S. Adults

Strategic Insights -

A recently conducted survey by the American Heart Association found that 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. The survey, conducted in August 2025, revealed that many U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome, including high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood glucose, excess weight, and reduced kidney function. These risk factors increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure more than any one of them alone.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly 90% of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome, including high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood glucose, 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 individuals, CKM syndrome is reversible with changes to their eating pattern, physical activity, and appropriate treatment.
  • The American Heart Association's CKM Health Initiative provides educational resources to help people understand how heart, kidney, and metabolic health are connected and take action early to prevent a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.
  • A new survey found that:

+ 12% of U.S. adults had never heard of CKM health or CKM syndrome.

+ 79% agreed that it is important that they understand more about CKM health.

+ 72% said they are interested in learning more about CKM syndrome.

+ People are most interested in learning about how CKM syndrome is treated (72%) and diagnosed (71%).

  • Many U.S. adults incorrectly believed that it's best to manage individual conditions one at a time or were unsure of the best way to manage them (68%).
  • The American Heart Association is working to improve collaboration among health care professionals who care for patients living with multiple health conditions.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 90% of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome.
  • 12% of U.S. adults had never heard of CKM health or CKM syndrome.
  • 79% of U.S. adults agreed that it is important to understand more about CKM health.
  • 72% of U.S. adults are interested in learning more about CKM syndrome.
  • 68% of U.S. adults believed that it's best to manage individual conditions one at a time or were unsure of the best way to manage them.

Sources:

  • The American Heart Association's survey conducted in August 2025 among 4,007 US adults aged 18+.
  • The Harris Poll conducted the survey on behalf of the American Heart Association.
  • The American Heart Association's CKM Health Initiative.
  • The Harris Poll research methodology.
  • The American Heart Association's website and press release.
  • The original release on COMTEX_469661504/2549/2025-10-20T05:04:34.