In this article, we will discuss a newly recognized type of heart disease – CKM syndrome, which occurs when there is overlap between heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Specialized Medical Disciplines
We have a highly specialized medical system. Sometimes it seems that every doctor has their own organ. For example, if I have a heart problem, I will see a cardiologist. If my kidneys are not healthy, I will check with a nephrologist. Or if I have diabetes or another hormone-related issue, I will see an endocrinologist.
The Interconnection of Health Issues
However, it turns out that these organs or health issues have a lot of interrelation with each other. In particular, kidney problems and metabolic issues increase the risk of heart disease, which includes everything from heart attacks to blocked arteries.
CKM Syndrome
Thus, all this medical specialization may prevent the physician from seeing the major risks. This is a concern for cardiologists like Sadia Khan from Northwestern University.
New Guidelines
That’s why Khan helped write a new set of guidelines from the American Heart Association in collaboration with kidney and endocrine specialists. These guidelines, which were released just a few months ago, define a new type of heart disease called cardio-renal-metabolic syndrome.
Available Treatments
This recognition has been bolstered by the availability of treatments that are not just diabetes medications but also have heart-protective and kidney-protective benefits. Thus, the availability of treatments that allow us to manage patients comprehensively has been a key part of this.
Targeted Medications
Recently emerging treatments include specific classes of medications such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 receptor agonists, which have heart benefits but have also proven beneficial for people with kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity or excess weight.
New Risk Calculator
The heart association has also launched a new risk calculator that doctors use, which combines kidney disease indicators and diabetes indicators with heart risks. It is a complex formula but provides doctors with a good picture of a person’s likelihood of developing CKM syndrome or other forms of heart disease like heart failure.
Early Diagnosis
One important distinction is that this tool allows doctors to start assessing risk at age thirty. Previous assessment tools were only applied to people over 40. Khan points out that if someone is going to develop heart disease, the first signs will show up in the thirties to forties. At this early stage, symptoms can be reduced with appropriate treatments.
Conclusion
With the acknowledgment of CKM, more people may be diagnosed and treated earlier, staying healthy for a larger part of their lives.
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