Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Coping
Here, we will explain CKM syndrome symptoms, the organs affected, risk factors, causes, and staging of the condition.
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CKM Syndrome: Understanding Symptoms
Heart
CKM syndrome significantly affects the cardiovascular system, leading to a range of issues such as:
Symptoms related to these conditions may includechest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet due to fluid buildup.
Kidneys
CKM syndrome is strongly linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression.Symptoms of kidney damage can include:
Liver
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) is also a consequence of CKM syndrome.
This is often referred to as a silent disease in that it doesn’t typically cause symptoms. But if symptoms are experienced, they may include:
In advanced stages, it can lead to liver failure.
Pancreas
CKM syndrome may affect the pancreas and is highly associated with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes leads to symptoms like:
What Leads to CKM Syndrome?
The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in both adults and youth has historically paved the way for the emergence of CKM syndrome.
Risk Factors
In the United States, about one-third of adults have with three or more risk factors linked to the onset of CKM syndrome. These risk factors are:
Each of these risk factors increases your chances of having cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
CKM syndrome happens when problems like obesity and diabetes, kidney disease, and heart issues all interact. This damage sets off a chain reaction, making things like insulin resistance and inflammation worse. The cycle created harms these organs more over time.
Diagnosis: How Do I Know I Have CKM Syndrome?
Screening for CKM syndrome aims to detect early cardiovascular, metabolic, and kidney health changes. In addition, it also identifies barriers to care in order to prevent progression to subsequent stages.
Stages of CKM are on a continuum from stage 0 (no risk factors) to stage 4 (symptomatic cardiovascular disease). With each stage are recommendations that emphasize: preventive measures, lifestyle modifications, and treatments specific to each stage.
Annual screenings play a pivotal role in monitoring advancements and directing comprehensive care. These screenings encompass:
Stages of CKM Syndrome
The stages of CKM syndrome are as follows:
Treating CKM Syndrome
Lifestyle changes and weight loss might help reverse or improve the stages linked to CKM syndrome. By embracing healthier habits like changing diet, exercising more, and managing weight, individuals can treat (or even reverse) their CKM syndrome stages.
This regression has the most potential in stages 1, 2, and 3 of CKM syndrome. At these stages, lifestyle adjustments tend to have a more substantial impact. As individuals make these changes, they may experience positive outcomes, such as:
Essentially, CKM syndrome regression embodies the idea that proactive lifestyle alterations can potentially halt or reverse the progression of CKM syndrome, leading to an overall better state of health.
CKM Syndrome Prevention: Steps to Take Now
Eat Better
Read nutrition labels to help make better choices. A heart-healthy diet involves consuming plenty of the following:
Limit saturated fats, sweet drinks, alcohol, red meats, highly processed foods, foods with added sugars, and tropical oils like palm and coconut oil. Avoid trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils.
Get Active
Engaging in regular physical activity promotes heart health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week.Kids and teens should aim for 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Stop Smoking
Quitting smoking is crucial for heart health. Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels, significantly increasing the risk of heart disease. Smoking is also the most preventable cause of death in the United States.
Get Healthy Sleep
Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Poor sleep may increase the risk of:
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of heart disease and other health issues. Understanding your body mass index (BMI) can help you know if you are at a healthy weight. Your healthcare provider can help you calculate this number.
Control Cholesterol
Maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol, specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered bad cholesterol), is important to prevent plaque buildup within the walls of arteries.
Manage Blood Sugar
Monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels help prevent diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease. Tips include eating a healthy diet and limiting sugary foods, red meats, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates.
Manage Blood Pressure
Keeping blood pressure within a healthy range, which is considered below 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), is crucial to reduce strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Life With CKM Syndrome
CKM syndrome is a progressive condition, meaning it gets worse over time, especially without interventions or changes in lifestyle habits. In addition, it can start as early as childhood (although the new AHA advisory is only geared for adults).
Summary
CKM syndrome, which includes cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health, presents a complex web of conditions with profound implications for overall health. This syndrome involves the connectedness between heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and kidney dysfunction.
Prevention and even potential regression through lifestyle modifications are possible. Proactive management can help improve health outcomes at every stage. Talk to your healthcare provider for a tailored approach to managing CKM syndrome that is right for you.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Kidney Fund.What you need to know about CKM syndrome.Ndumele CE, Neeland IJ, Tuttle KR, et al.A synopsis of the evidence for the science and clinical management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (Ckm) syndrome: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;148(20):1636-1664. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001186Medline Plus.Chronic kidney disease.MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.Medline Plus.Diabetes.American Heart Association.Heart disease risk, prevention and management redefined.American Heart Association.Life’s essential 8.American Heart Association.How to eat better.American Heat Association.How to be more active.American Heart Association.How to get health sleep.American Heart Association.How to manage weight.American Heart Association.How to control cholesterol.American Heart Association.How to manage blood sugar.American Heart Association.How to manage blood pressure.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Kidney Fund.What you need to know about CKM syndrome.Ndumele CE, Neeland IJ, Tuttle KR, et al.A synopsis of the evidence for the science and clinical management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (Ckm) syndrome: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;148(20):1636-1664. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001186Medline Plus.Chronic kidney disease.MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.Medline Plus.Diabetes.American Heart Association.Heart disease risk, prevention and management redefined.American Heart Association.Life’s essential 8.American Heart Association.How to eat better.American Heat Association.How to be more active.American Heart Association.How to get health sleep.American Heart Association.How to manage weight.American Heart Association.How to control cholesterol.American Heart Association.How to manage blood sugar.American Heart Association.How to manage blood pressure.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Kidney Fund.What you need to know about CKM syndrome.Ndumele CE, Neeland IJ, Tuttle KR, et al.A synopsis of the evidence for the science and clinical management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (Ckm) syndrome: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;148(20):1636-1664. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001186Medline Plus.Chronic kidney disease.MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.Medline Plus.Diabetes.American Heart Association.Heart disease risk, prevention and management redefined.American Heart Association.Life’s essential 8.American Heart Association.How to eat better.American Heat Association.How to be more active.American Heart Association.How to get health sleep.American Heart Association.How to manage weight.American Heart Association.How to control cholesterol.American Heart Association.How to manage blood sugar.American Heart Association.How to manage blood pressure.
American Kidney Fund.What you need to know about CKM syndrome.
Ndumele CE, Neeland IJ, Tuttle KR, et al.A synopsis of the evidence for the science and clinical management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (Ckm) syndrome: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;148(20):1636-1664. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001186
Medline Plus.Chronic kidney disease.
MedlinePlus.Fatty liver disease.
Medline Plus.Diabetes.
American Heart Association.Heart disease risk, prevention and management redefined.
American Heart Association.Life’s essential 8.
American Heart Association.How to eat better.
American Heat Association.How to be more active.
American Heart Association.How to get health sleep.
American Heart Association.How to manage weight.
American Heart Association.How to control cholesterol.
American Heart Association.How to manage blood sugar.
American Heart Association.How to manage blood pressure.
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