A new survey from the American Heart Association reveals that approximately 90% of U.S. adults have not heard of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, a newly defined health condition affecting nearly 90% of adults that includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity. The survey conducted by The Harris Poll in August 2025 found only 12% of U.S. adults had heard of CKM health or CKM syndrome, despite the condition's significant impact on cardiovascular risk. 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. Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's chief medical officer for prevention, emphasized the importance of understanding these connections. "We want people to know that it's really common to have heart, kidney and metabolic risk factors at the same time. It is reassuring that once the CKM connection was defined nearly three-quarters of those responding understood that it was important and wanted to learn more," Sanchez said. The survey revealed that 79% of respondents agreed that it is important to understand more about CKM health and 72% expressed interest in learning more.
CKM health includes the heart, kidneys and metabolic system, which are responsible for creating, using and storing energy and affect weight and blood glucose levels. These systems are connected and function together, creating a cycle that puts health at serious risk when one system functions poorly. The survey uncovered significant misconceptions about managing interconnected health conditions, with 68% of U.S. adults incorrectly believing it's best to manage individual conditions one at a time or weren't sure of the best management approach. Additionally, 42% believed that a healthy heart would not likely be damaged by other organ systems or weren't sure.
"The heart, kidney and metabolic systems are connected and, as such, should be treated in a coordinated way," Sanchez explained. "These results reveal the need to emphasize those connections and help patients understand the importance of collaborative care." The American Heart Association is addressing this knowledge gap through their CKM Health Initiative, which provides educational resources through their website to help people understand how heart, kidney and metabolic health are connected. The Association is also working with healthcare teams across the country to improve collaboration among health care professionals who care for patients living with multiple health conditions.
The Association will issue the first ever guidelines on CKM syndrome in early 2026, providing much-needed direction for both healthcare providers and patients. For most people, CKM syndrome is reversible with changes to eating patterns, physical activity and appropriate treatment. "CKM health is about your overall health," said Sanchez. "It's a full circle. You can take care of your overall health with regular checks of your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar and kidney function." The research was conducted online among 4,007 U.S. adults aged 18 and older, with data weighted to reflect population proportions and a margin of error of ±2.0 percentage points.
