Research Highlights:

• Scientists conducted a simulation study to estimate the impact of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction.
• The study found that adults with chronic kidney disease would have elevated CVD risk eight years earlier than those without the disease. In addition, people with Type 2 diabetes would have an elevated CVD risk about a decade sooner than those without it.
• Among adults with both Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, women were predicted to reach elevated risk for CVD 26 years earlier and men 28 years earlier than those with neither condition.
• Note: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract. Abstracts presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered preliminary until published as full manuscripts in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024

(NewMediaWire) - November 11, 2024 - DALLAS — People with chronic kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes or both were predicted to have elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk 8 to 28 years sooner than someone without those conditions, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024. The meeting, Nov. 16-18, 2024, in Chicago, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.

Current guidelines on CVD prevention define CVD risk as elevated if the chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years is 7.5% or higher. Chronic kidney disease and Type 2 diabetes increase risk and are two of the four components of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, which the American Heart Association defines as the interplay of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and the metabolic disorders Type 2 diabetes and obesity. This study aimed to better understand the effects of (CKM) syndrome on CVD risk.

Researchers created risk profiles to simulate men and women with and without chronic kidney disease and/or Type 2 diabetes at each age from 30 to 79 years. They used the American Heart Association Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs (PREVENT™) calculator to determine at what age someone with each risk profile would be expected to have elevated CVD risk.

The risk profiles were based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2020. Chronic kidney disease was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 44.5, which indicates stage 3 kidney disease. Type 2 diabetes was indicated as a “yes” response to the PREVENT calculator prompt, “Any history of diabetes.” Profiles without CKM syndrome were derived from average blood pressure, cholesterol and eGFR levels representing survey participants who did not have diabetes, were not taking medicines to lower blood pressure or cholesterol and were non-smokers.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all U.S. adults are living with some form of CVD, and one in three has at least three risk factors that contribute to CKM syndrome. Identifying who is at greatest risk earlier can improve primary prevention and reduce the risk of premature death from CVD.

“Our findings help to interpret the combination of risk factors that will lead to a high predicted CVD risk and at what age they have an impact on risk,” said lead study author Vaishnavi Krishnan, B.S., a researcher at Northwestern University in Chicago and a medical student at Boston University School of Medicine in Boston. “For example, if someone has borderline-elevated levels of blood pressure, glucose and/or impaired kidney function, but they don’t yet have hypertension or diabetes or chronic kidney disease, their risk may not be recognized. Understanding how age interacts with risk factor levels is important to optimize CKM health.”

Without CKM syndrome, the expected age to reach elevated CVD risk was 68 years for women and 63 for men. However, with CKM components added to the simulated patient profile, the same risk level was predicted to occur at a much younger age:

• For adults with stage 3 chronic kidney disease, predicted 10-year CVD risk was elevated at age 60 for women and 55 for men. This is 8 years younger than expected for men and women without CKM syndrome.
• For adults with Type 2 diabetes, predicted 10-year risk of CVD was elevated at age 59 for women and 52 for men. This is 9 years younger for women and 11 years younger for men compared to those without CKM syndrome.
• For adults who had both Type 2 diabetes and stage 3 chronic kidney disease, predicted 10-year risk of CVD was elevated at age 42 for women and 35 for men. This is 26 years younger for women and 28 years younger for men compared to those without CKM syndrome.

“A strength of this study is that it spans nearly the full adult life course and examines how risk factor levels due to CKM conditions of chronic kidney disease and Type 2 diabetes may impact predicted CVD risk,” Krishnan said. “However, a limitation of this study is that these are predicted risk calculations based on a simulated population.”

“This is an early step in the process of understanding how a risk model works,” said Sadiya S. Khan, M.D., M.Sc., co-author of the study, the Magerstadt Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology and an associate professor of cardiology, medical social sciences and preventive medicine (epidemiology) at Northwestern School of Medicine in Chicago, and chair of the writing group for the PREVENT equations. “Future work and guidelines are needed to determine how to use the PREVENT equations and what risk thresholds should be used in a clinical setting.”

To address the complex health threat of CKM syndrome, the American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as a global force for healthier lives for all, has launched a four-year Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Health Initiative, supported by Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim. The initiative will track CKM measures in the Association’s Get With The Guidelines® and outpatient data registries; improve coordination among CVD, kidney and diabetes specialists; and promote best practices, including guideline-directed treatment. This work will help assess gaps in clinical care, identify areas for future research, and implement guidelines and screening recommendations to provide clear and definitive advice for CKM syndrome treatment. 

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources for this study are listed in the abstract.

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The 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.

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of the release link https://newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-disease-could-hit-up-to-28-years-sooner-for-people-with-ckm-syndrome?preview=d20eca7d1b082ff0a41253140f14ec0b
• Spanish news release
• Link to abstract MDP1230; and AHA Scientific Sessions 2024 Online Program Planner
• AHA news release: Heart disease risk, prevention and management redefined (Oct. 2023)
• AHA health information: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health
• For more news at AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, follow us on X @HeartNews, #AHA24

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries and AHA Expert Perspective:

AHA Communications & Media Relations in Dallas: 214-706-1173; ahacommunications@heart.org

Maggie Francis: Maggie.Francis@heart.org

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