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 pharmaceutical companies, aims to enroll 150 healthcare sites, potentially impacting over a quarter-million patients by improving 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. With only 10% of U.S. adults in excellent CKM health, the initiative addresses a public health emergency, offering a model of care that emphasizes collaborative treatment approaches and community resource connections.

Selected regions, including Atlanta, Baton Rouge, San Diego, and newly added areas like Bronx and Brooklyn, Connecticut, and Miami, were chosen based on disease prevalence and community characteristics. The initiative's approach, as highlighted by Dr. Chiadi Ndumele, focuses on holistic patient care, moving beyond individual specialists to integrated care models.

For more information on CKM health, visit heart.org/myCKMhealth. Healthcare organizations interested in joining the initiative can access the CKM Health Implementation Guide for free.