By Family Features for the American Heart Association | Contributor
Maintaining heart health involves a more extensive relationship than one might expect; it’s a reciprocal dynamic between the heart and the rest of the body. Unfortunately, many adults in the U.S. do not recognize this crucial link.
A survey by The Harris Poll, conducted for the American Heart Association, revealed that 42% of American adults lack an understanding of how other organ systems can influence heart health.
Complications in other organ systems, such as the kidneys or metabolic processes—which govern weight management and blood sugar levels—can lead to heart-related issues.
The interconnectedness of heart, kidney, and metabolic health is referred to as cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health (CKM health). This concept is at the heart of an initiative led by the American Heart Association to enhance awareness about how these systems operate in tandem. When one element suffers, it can exacerbate the condition of the others, resulting in CKM syndrome.
Research published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” indicates that nearly 90% of U.S. adults exhibit at least one aspect of CKM syndrome. These aspects may include high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, elevated blood glucose, excess body weight, and diminished kidney function. The combination of these risk factors heightens the likelihood of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure more than any single risk factor does.
The same survey noted that despite only 12% of American adults being familiar with CKM health or CKM syndrome, a significant 72% expressed a desire to learn more, and 79% recognized the importance of understanding CKM health.
“We want to emphasize that it’s very common for individuals to experience heart disease, diabetes, or metabolic disorders, along with decreased kidney function,” stated Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., FAHA, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention at the American Heart Association. “It’s encouraging to find that about three-quarters of respondents understood the significance of the CKM connection and are eager to gain more knowledge.”
To illustrate the interrelatedness of the heart and body, the video titled “2 Truths and No Lie” provides a straightforward depiction:
- The heart circulates blood throughout the body.
- The metabolic system converts blood glucose into energy.
- The metabolism process returns waste back into the bloodstream.
- The kidneys cleanse the blood of waste and regulate fluids, contributing to blood pressure balance.
- Blood pressure has an effect on how efficiently the heart pumps blood.
In addition to offering resources for understanding the links between heart, kidney, and metabolic health, the American Heart Association’s CKM Health Initiative is collaborating with healthcare teams nationwide. This effort aims to foster better teamwork among healthcare professionals treating patients with multiple health concerns. Enhanced awareness and proactive screening can encourage early interventions to reduce the risks of heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.
This initiative is made possible through the support of founding sponsors Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim, along with supporting sponsors Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Bayer, and champion sponsor DaVita.
To discover more about CKM health, visit heart.org/myCKMhealth.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
