Heart, kidney and metabolic health are connected and early action matters
PADUCAH, KY (Feb. 16, 2026) — Heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity are often thought of as separate conditions, but health experts say they are more closely connected than many people realize. A growing focus on Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome highlights how problems affecting the heart, kidneys and metabolism can interact and worsen over time.
CKM syndrome refers to the combined effects of heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity and share common risk factors, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol and excess body weight. Because they often occur together, they increase the risk of serious complications such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure.
In February 2025, Baptist Health Paducah was selected to participate in the American Heart Association’s Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Health Initiative™, a new national effort to improve prevention, screening and treatment of interrelated conditions that can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Participating hospitals and clinics in the initiative are recognized as “CKM Health Groundbreakers.” Baptist Health Paducah is among 150 health care sites across 15 regions in the U.S. working together to advance care for more than a quarter-million patients.
“When we look at heart disease, kidney disease and metabolic conditions like diabetes, we now understand that they don’t occur in isolation,” said Craig Beavers, Cardiovascular Serviceline Executive Sponsor at Baptist Health Paducah. “They are deeply connected. The earlier we recognize risk factors, the more we can do to prevent long-term damage and improve overall health.”
According to the American Heart Association, 42% of U.S. adults live with at least two chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol or diabetes. These overlapping conditions significantly increase the risk of developing CKM syndrome.
If left unmanaged, CKM syndrome can lead to serious health problems, including heart failure, irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, clogged arteries, stroke, peripheral artery disease, kidney failure, disability and premature death.
CKM syndrome is categorized in five stages, ranging from Stage 0, when no risk factors are present, to Stage 4, when individuals have both CKM risk factors and established heart disease. Early stages may involve excess body fat, elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels, often without noticeable symptoms.
Health experts emphasize that early recognition and coordinated care can make a meaningful difference. The five key health factors to monitor and manage are: blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar and kidney function.
“You have more control than you may think,” said Beavers. “With the right care plan, including medications when appropriate, healthy lifestyle changes and regular checkups, many people can slow or even reverse the effects of CKM syndrome.”
To learn more or schedule an appointment with Baptist Health Medical Group Cardiology call 270.575.3113.