Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health

You Are One Connected Body. Your Heart, Brain, Kidneys and Metabolic Health are One System.

The whole body is connected and works together like a team. Your heart, kidneys, and the way the body creates, stores and uses energy (metabolic health) have different jobs, but together they affect your overall health. Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, or CKM health, is a new concept that explains how your heart, kidneys, and energy systems are interconnected and work together.


Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative logo

CKM health is about your overall health and taking action early to prevent a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. The American Heart Association is leading the way in helping people understand and manage their overall health by focusing on the whole person, not just one disease at a time.  

Knowing about the body’s interconnectivity means people can:

  • spot health problems earlier
  • take steps to stay healthier longer
  • make smart choices about food, exercise, and checkups
  • avoid more serious problems later, like heart attacks, stroke or kidney failure

Your Health Is Connected: Four Different Systems. One Healthy You. (PDF)

Understand the Connection

Think of your health like a team effort. If your cardiovascular-kidney metabolic health is strong, focus on maintaining your health behaviors and the five connected factors listed here. If you have problems with any one of the connected health factors, you may be at risk for CKM syndrome. You can improve your CKM health by monitoring these factors and making healthy choices.

CKM Syndrome

CKM syndrome stands for Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome. It’s a health condition that includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity.

These might seem like separate issues, but they’re actually closely connected. When one system is affected, it can make the others worse — creating a cycle that puts your health at serious risk.

Why It Matters

When these systems (heart, kidneys and metabolism) aren’t working properly, it can lead to a multi-system disorder — meaning more than one part of the body is not working properly. This can cause serious conditions like:

  • Heart failure
  • Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
  • Heart attacks and clogged arteries
  • Stroke
  • Poor circulation in the legs and feet (peripheral artery disease)

The Long-Term Impact

If not managed, CKM syndrome can lead to:

  • Worsening health
  • Kidney failure
  • Disability
  • And even early death

The earlier CKM syndrome is recognized, the more can be done to prevent or slow down the damage. Lifestyle changes, medications and coordinated care from your healthcare team can make a real difference.

Myth vs. Fact: CKM Syndrome

Take Action Now

Schedule a checkup of your heart, kidney and metabolic health

Since high blood pressure and early stages of kidney disease and diabetes often don’t have symptoms, regular screening is necessary to be aware of your risk. Unsure about what to ask? We can help. Your voice matters in your health care. Research shows that people who ask questions during clinic visits may have better health outcomes compared with those who don’t.

Make one small change



When you make a healthy change it affects all areas of your health. You can make small changes today for better overall health tomorrow.

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