DC and Maryland chosen for new effort to improve diagnosis, treatment of CKM syndrome

by

An American Heart Association initiative aims to improve care for people with a cluster of conditions called cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome

Washington, DC, Feb. 18, 2025 — DC and Maryland are among the first five geographic regions in the U.S. that will implement a new initiative to improve care for people with a cluster of chronic conditions known as cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Through the initiative the American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, aims to increase awareness and screening for CKM syndrome and facilitate collaboration among health care professionals.

CKM syndrome is a clinical term that describes the combined health effects of heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity, which puts people at high risk for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults has at least three components of CKM syndrome, which include high blood pressure, high triglycerides, abnormal blood sugar level, impaired kidney function and excess body weight.

The other geographic regions are Atlanta; Baton Rouge, La; San Diego, Calif.; and Ohio, including the Cincinnati metro area, which encompasses parts of Kentucky. These areas were selected based on disease prevalence, health system characteristics and community characteristics.

“People often have risk factors like high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar and low kidney function at the same time,” Ameya Kulkarni, M.D. FSCAI, American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region board president and associate medical director at Kaiser Permanente. “There’s a need to move beyond individual specialists to collaborative care models that support more holistic patient care. It’s important for health care providers and organizations to think about these conditions collectively, because that’s how patients experience them.”

The American Heart Association’s Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative, supported by founding sponsors Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim, will eventually be established in 15 geographic regions across the nation. Initially, it will be implemented at 150 health care sites within those regions, impacting the care of more than a quarter-million patients with CKM syndrome. DaVita is the newest sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative and distributes the Association’s evidence-based CKM educational resources nationwide.

The initiative puts into practice a framework for patient care described in the Association’s 2023 presidential advisory, which first defined CKM syndrome. It includes:

  • establishing and following standards for consistently tracking health factors that relate to CKM health,
  • ensuring evidence-based therapies are provided for people with CKM syndrome,
  • making connections with community resources for people with health-related social needs (like transportation or help paying for prescriptions), and
  • facilitating collaboration among specialists and other health care professionals to help streamline care.

Collaboration among health professionals is a key component of the initiative because communication and coordinating patient care is often fragmented. Also, given the higher likelihood of CKM syndrome among people with adverse social drivers of health, the initiative emphasizes screening for social needs. Therefore, collaboration extends to community organizations that address social needs.

With the Association’s support, participating organizations will use a learning collaborative approach to meet the initiative’s objectives. Representatives from each site will meet regularly to identify goals and plans for implementing a CKM model of care, troubleshoot roadblocks and share best practices.

More about the initiative is at www.heart.org/CKMhealth.

For inquiries about participating in the initiative, please contact ckmhealth@heart.org.

Additional Resources:

###

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

Contact

Hannah Ross, hannah.ross@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)heart.org and stroke.org