Copyright dailymail

Doctors sound alarm as 281million Americans are living with deadly health condition and don't know it READ MORE: You CAN reverse high blood pressure without drugs By SADIE WHITELOCKS, US SENIOR HEALTH REPORTER Published: 17:56 BST, 20 October 2025 | Updated: 18:06 BST, 20 October 2025 A newly identified disease is thought to afflict nearly 90 percent of Americans; and nine in 10 people are unaware of it. The American Heart Association (AHA) highlights that a high number of people meet the criteria for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. The condition is a complex disorder made up of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes and it was only formally defined by the AHA in 2023. Yet only 12 percent of adults surveyed in August of this year said they had ever heard of CKM health or CKM syndrome. Despite this lack of awareness, public interest in the topic is high. The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, showed that 79 percent of respondents believe it is important to understand CKM health, and 72 percent said they are interested in learning more. 'We want people to know that it's really common to have heart, kidney, and metabolic risk factors at the same time,' said Dr Eduardo Sanchez, the AHA's chief medical officer for prevention. 'It is reassuring that once the CKM connection was explained, nearly three-quarters of those surveyed recognized its importance.' Almost 90 percent of adults are plagued by a deadly heart condition without realizing it, new research has revealed Common side effect of weight-loss jabs that may lead to brain damage 1.9k viewing now Pain in my leg keeps me up at night. What's wrong? DR SCURR answers 19.9k viewing now People who have 'young' minds in their 80s share a remarkable secret 2.2k viewing now CKM syndrome highlights the way in which dysfunction in one system - the heart, kidneys, or metabolic system - can negatively affect the others. Together, these conditions greatly increase the risk of serious health outcomes such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. According to the AHA, nearly 90 percent of US 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. Unlike some chronic conditions, CKM syndrome is often reversible, especially when caught early. I can knock decades off your biological age and help you shed 3 stone in 3 weeks To categorize people's risk of CKM, the AHA has come up with four stages. Stage zero is the optimum place to be. It represents people with no risk factors, who likely eat a balanced diet, are a healthy weight, and do not smoke. Stage one is people who might be overweight, especially with excess belly fat. Or, they may have pre-diabetes. It is advised that these people try to lose five percent of their weight to protect themselves from progressing into a further CKM stage. People in stage two will be starting to experience things like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. They may also have kidney disease. Doctors may prescribe this cohort medication to control their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. They may also offer patients Ozempic or Wegovy, to help them lose weight and control blood sugar levels. Stage three is when people have asymptomatic heart disease. They may have high blood pressure or early heart or kidney disease and may be on medication such as a statin. Treatments for this category include heart and diabetes drugs, plus testing for narrowed arteries. Stage four is symptomatic heart disease. This would be someone with diagnosed heart disease, excess fat, Type 2 diabetes or kidney disease. They may have already suffered heart attacks or strokes and developed heart failure. A graph showing trends of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome stages among US adults from 2011 to 2020 The AHA recommends following these eight daily habits to boost your overall health People in stage four can be further divided into those with kidney failure and those without it. The AHA stresses the importance of lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, regular physical activity, and medical treatment when needed. The new survey revealed widespread misconceptions about how these systems interact. More than two-thirds (68 percent) of US adults incorrectly believe that it's best to manage conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes one at a time - or they weren't sure. Additionally, 42 percent either believed a healthy heart could not be damaged by dysfunction in other organs or were unsure. 'The heart, kidney, and metabolic systems are connected and, as such, should be treated in a coordinated way,' said Dr Sanchez. 'These results highlight the need to better communicate that connection and the importance of collaborative care.' To improve understanding and care, the AHA will publish the first-ever clinical guidelines on CKM syndrome in early 2026. These guidelines aim to help healthcare providers treat patients with multiple related conditions through a more integrated and patient-centered approach. In the meantime, the AHA has launched the CKM Health Initiative, offering educational resources and tools for both the public and healthcare professionals. These include a new explainer video that breaks down how the body's systems interact. 'CKM health is about your overall health,' said Dr. Sanchez. 'You can take care of your body with regular checks of your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar, and kidney function.' The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the AHA. Approximately 4,000 US adults participated. Share or comment on this article: Doctors sound alarm as 281million Americans are living with deadly health condition and don't know it Add comment