CKM syndrome affects nearly 80% of young adults in new study

A study published in ‘Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes’ has revealed that nearly 80% of young adults in a cohort of 1,283 participants show signs of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. The research, which focused on urban populations in the United States, found that many participants exhibited subclinical damage to their carotid arteries, with some arterial thickness markers resembling those of individuals a decade older.

CKM syndrome, defined by the American Heart Association in 2023, links heart, kidney, and metabolic health. The study noted that higher stages of the syndrome correlate with increased carotid artery injury. Researchers identified poor diet and low physical activity as significant risk factors. While the findings are concerning, the study authors noted the participants were not representative of all young people in the U.S., as many came from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Medical specialists also warn that sudden cardiac arrest and strokes can affect seemingly healthy young people. Factors such as congenital heart anomalies, undiagnosed aneurysms, sleep deprivation, and intense physical stress can trigger sudden events, even in individuals without obvious symptoms or known pre-existing conditions.