American Heart Association Expands Initiative to Combat Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Across 15 U.S. Regions

The American Heart Association has announced the expansion of its Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative™ to 15 regions across the United States, targeting the interconnected conditions that contribute to heart disease and stroke. This initiative, supported by leading healthcare sponsors, aims to enroll 150 healthcare sites, potentially impacting over a quarter-million patients by enhancing awareness, screening, and treatment for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.

CKM syndrome represents a combination of heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity, significantly increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. The initiative's expansion includes regions such as Bronx and Brooklyn, New York; Connecticut; Indianapolis, Indiana; and others, selected based on disease prevalence and community characteristics. With only 10% of U.S. adults in excellent CKM health, the initiative addresses a public health emergency, offering a model for collaborative care among specialists to streamline treatment and connect patients with necessary community resources.

Chiadi Ndumele, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.S., FAHA, chair of the initiative's advisory group, emphasizes the opportunity to improve CKM health through evidence-based therapies and holistic patient care models. The initiative also provides a free CKM Health Implementation Guide for healthcare organizations, marking a significant step towards combating this multifaceted health challenge.