• A new study suggests that people with chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, or both conditions may face a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) 8 to 28 years earlier than those without of these conditions.

• Chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes are components of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, which has a significant impact on cardiovascular disease risk.

• These findings can help healthcare professionals diagnose cardiovascular disease earlier in their patients and prevent the disease.

A study recently presented at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024 suggests that people with chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, or both may face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) 8 to 28 years earlier than those without these conditions.

Researchers used simulated patient profiles to determine how risk factors associated with CKM syndrome interact with age.

These results, although not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, could inform earlier detection and intervention strategies in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Both chronic kidney disease And type 2 diabetes increase this risk and are one of the four elements of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.

Current guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention consider high risk if there is a 7.5% or greater chance that a heart attack Or stroke over the next decade.

The American Heart Association defines CKM syndrome such as the interconnection between cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The study aimed to understand the impact of CKM syndrome on the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Development of cardiovascular risk profiles

Researchers developed risk profiles representing men and women aged 30 to 79, with or without chronic kidney disease and/or type 2 diabetes.

They used the American Heart Association model Cardiovascular Disease Event Risk Prediction Calculator (PREVENT) to estimate the age at which each profile would likely reach high risk of cardiovascular disease. The risk profiles used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2020.

Chronic kidney disease was classified according to an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 44.5, indicating stage 3 kidney disease.

Type 2 diabetes was identified by a “yes” response to the PREVENT calculator question “Any history of diabetes.”

The American Heart Association notes that nearly half of all American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and that one in three people have at least three risk factors associated with CKM syndrome.

Recognizing those most at risk earlier can help improve primary prevention efforts and reduce the risk of early death from cardiovascular disease.

Lead author of the study Vaishnavi Krishnan, B.S.a researcher from Northwestern University in Chicago and a medical student from Boston University School of Medicine in Boston explained the key findings to Medical news today.

“This could not be assessed previously with pooled cohort equations because it started at age 40 and did not include kidney function,” explained Krishnan.

She added that the study “should help to better understand the risk of cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks, heart failure and stroke.”

CKM borderline levels and conditions may increase cardiovascular risk

People with high blood pressure, low glucose, or borderline kidney function may face hidden health risks, even without a formal diagnosis.

These risks appear earlier for people with CKM (cardiovascular, renal and metabolic) diseases such as kidney disease or diabetes.

For example, while elevated cardiovascular risk begins around age 68 for women and age 63 for men without CKM, it can appear decades earlier for people with CKM, particularly in combined conditions.

New AHA initiative to improve heart health monitoring

To address these risks, the American Heart Association launched a four-year initiative to improve CKM care.

By fostering collaboration between organizations and identifying gaps in clinical care, it is hoped that clearer, evidence-based treatment guidelines can be developed.

Richard Wright, MDsaid a board-certified cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., who was not involved in the research. MNT that “this interesting and provocative analysis is only a simulation and is not based on real clinical data, but nevertheless dramatically highlights the potential ‘more than additive’ risk that these conditions present in predicting future cardiovascular events.

“Although not as scientifically sound as a true prospective population study, the current assessment is based on valid scientific data and should not be ignored,” he said. Medical news today.

“Even astute clinicians will likely be surprised by the dire prediction that the coexistence of these two problems radically increases the risk of early myocardial infarction and stroke,” Wright explained.

“This is truly a call to action, both to identify those at such risk and to begin more aggressive treatment earlier than we have traditionally thought necessary,” he said. he added.

Diseases like diabetes increase cardiovascular risk

Cheng-Han Chen, MDboard-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the structural cardiology program at Memorial Care Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Calif., who was also not involved in the study, said that “a simulated risk study can be a useful tool to examine the usefulness of our risk models and provide information on how to better adapt and correct a risk model for clinical use.

Dr. Chen added that “the AHA Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Initiative provides an important framework for us to address the prevention and management of these prevalent and interconnected diseases.”

“By considering these conditions in concert, we may be able to come up with better treatments to help improve health outcomes.” »

See the original article on Medical news today