Clinics Screen for CKM Syndrome but Rarely Use Risk Calculators

What the Survey Found Across Clinical Sites

An American Heart Association (AHA) survey shows most health clinics screen for general risks but rarely use specialized cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome tools.

The preliminary research was presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago. A total of 97 clinical sites completed the standardized questionnaire between August 2025 and June 2026.

While 75 percent of clinical sites screened for CKM-related conditions and 73 percent tested populations for risk factors, adoption dropped sharply for specific evaluation tools. Only 28 percent used the Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Event (PREVENT) equations, and only 22 percent used formal CKM syndrome staging.

Defining the Stages of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome

The American Heart Association defines CKM syndrome as a multisystem disorder that connects obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and heart disease.

Nearly 90 percent of adults in the United States have at least one component of the condition. These components include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, elevated blood glucose, excess weight, reduced kidney function, or related heart issues.

• Stage 1 involves excess or dysfunctional fat, which may accumulate around the liver, pancreas, heart, and kidneys.
• Stage 2 includes chronic kidney disease, metabolic risk factors, or both conditions together.
• Stage 3 involves subclinical heart disease or equivalent high-risk markers.
• Stage 4 represents established clinical heart disease.

Why Risk Prediction Tools Remain Underused

Clinicians adopt general screening tests more readily than newer risk equations because the formal CKM diagnostic framework is relatively new to routine practice.

The AHA launched the quality improvement initiative in 2025 across about 150 clinical sites to encourage a coordinated care model. Lead author Chiadi Ndumele noted that because CKM syndrome and its staging tools are newer concepts, implementation takes time.

The PREVENT equations draw on data from more than 6.5 million diverse individuals across the United States to estimate cardiovascular disease risk. Using these calculations allows clinicians to identify specific risks earlier, before conditions progress to advanced stages.

Next Steps for Clinical Practice and Patient Care

Baseline survey data will help clinical leaders design targeted implementation strategies to integrate CKM tools into everyday healthcare workflows.

Participating sites were selected based on community disease burden, structural influences, rural location, and facility type. The survey details provide a foundation for evidence-based standards that can expand to other hospitals and outpatient networks.

Patients with metabolic risks, kidney disease, or blood pressure concerns can talk to their clinician about their overall cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health profile.