What doctors want you to know about a medical syndrome that 90% of Americans face

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Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, or CKM syndrome, affects millions of Americans – but many may not know what signs to watch out for.

The condition that includes heart and kidney disease along with diabetes is linked to a higher risk of developing cancer and premature death.

Some 90 percent of Americans have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome, such as excess body fat, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Doctors say knowing risk factors and disease symptoms can help people take steps to delay or prevent them, including changing contributing behaviors and seeking out screening and treatment.

“Heart, kidney, and metabolic conditions don’t occur in isolation — they are deeply connected,” Dr. Chiadi Ndumele, director of obesity and cardiometabolic research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said in a release.

Our diet, exercise and sleep can put us at risk for health issues involving our heart, metablic and kidney health, such as CKM syndrome. Doctors say knowing signs and symptoms can help ward off its threats (Getty Images)

Early warning signs

There are several symptoms to look out for that indicate you could be affected by CKM syndrome.

Chest pain, shortness of breath, passing out, pain in the legs while walking, dry skin, gout, sleep apnea, a need to pee more often, a loss or increase in appetite and swelling the legs, feet, hands and ankles are all telltale signs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“These symptoms can be an early warning sign of CKM syndrome, so it’s important to see your doctor if you have concerns,” University of Utah Health says.

100 million Americans…for now

These symptoms are driven by multiple health risks, including obesity.

Obesity, which refers to having too much body fat that presents a risk to health, impacts more than 100 million Americans and is also a risk factor for every facet of CKM syndrome.

The number of Americans living with obesity is projected to more than double by 2050, due to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and a diet that relies on processed foods.

The big three

But eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising enough and getting enough sleep can help people stave off obesity and reverse CKM syndrome symptoms.

Avoiding foods that are high in bad fats, sugar and salt is important for all facets of our health, but is especially key to ward off obesity.

Sleep is just as important to keep extra weight off, too.

Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep a night for optimal health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Working to find ways to clean up sleep hygiene may help people to extend sleep time to the recommended seven to nine hours per night,” Dr. Beth Frates, director of lifestyle medicine and wellness in the department of surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Harvard Health.

“This could, in turn, lead to consuming fewer calories and even weight loss in people who are in the overweight category by [body mass index],” she said.

You don’t need to start running races. Experts say light exercise is enough to fight off CKM syndrome symptoms (Getty Images for Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon)

Lastly, adults should also get 150 minutes of aerobic exercise and do two days of strength training a week, the CDC says.

However, you don’t need to become a gym rat or marathon participant to make a positive change for your health. Walking more is a big and easy way to meet your weekly goals.

“Light exercise improves heart health and metabolism. It helps lower insulin and fat levels as well as blood sugar,” says Dr. Randy Gould, a doctor with Manhattan Cardiology, told Prevention.

Disease in stages

When you catch signs of CKM syndrome is also important.

There are four stages of the condition, with stage one leading to early warning signs and stage four including noticeable kidney and cardiovascular problems.

“Recognizing what stage of CKM syndrome you have and talking about it with your doctor can really make a difference in being able to identify the condition early and prevent further progression of disease,” Dr. Rahul Aggarwal, a Mass General Brigham cardiovascular medicine fellow, said in a statement.

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