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Rachel V Thomas

Nearly 8 In 10 US Young Adults Show Signs Of Heart, Kidney Risk: Why Early Checks Matter

A new study found that nearly 8 out of 10, or 80%, of young adults in the US, with an average age of 23, had cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (<span>CKM</span>) syndrome.

Published in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes, the study found that these young adults had <span>CKM syndrome</span> at Stage 1, 2 or 3, meaning they had excess adiposity, metabolic risk factors and/or evidence of subclinical cardiovascular disease.

<h2>Young Adults Already Showing CKM Risk</h2>

The study included 1,283 young adults from large US cities. About 21% had no identifiable CKM risk factors (Stage 0), while none were in Stage 4.

More advanced CKM stages were associated with early arterial injury, including thicker carotid artery walls, an early marker of atherosclerosis, even among people in their early 20s.

Researchers said the findings highlight the need to begin prevention earlier in life. They also suggested promoting the <span>American Heart Association</span>’s Life’s Essential 8 early in life to improve cardiovascular health.

<ul><li>healthy eating, </li><li>physical activity, </li><li>avoiding tobacco, </li><li>healthy sleep, </li><li>healthy weight, </li><li>healthy cholesterol, </li><li>healthy blood sugar,</li><li>healthy blood pressure.</li></ul>Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/obesity-driven-ckm-syndrome-a-growing-public-health-threat-warns-american-heart-association-article-155041893" data-type="tilCustomLink">Obesity-Driven CKM Syndrome A Growing Public Health Threat, Warns American Heart Association</a>

<h2>What The Findings Mean For Young Adults</h2>

“The findings are important because they show that cardiovascular risk can begin building much earlier than we traditionally expect. We often associate heart disease with middle age or older adults, but risk factors such as excess weight, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and elevated blood sugar can develop silently in young adults,” Dr. Gobu P, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Gleneagles Chennai, told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

Dr. Chetan Kumar H. B, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, added that heart, kidney and metabolic health issues can start much earlier than traditionally thought. While heart disease becomes more common with age, the risk factors that lead to it can begin developing in early adulthood.

The findings do not mean that these young adults already have heart disease. Rather, the association between advanced CKM risk and early arterial changes highlights the importance of identifying and addressing risk factors early.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fifth-universal-definition-of-myocardial-infarction-what-the-3-new-heart-attack-categories-mean-article-156023530" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fifth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction: What the 3 New Heart Attack Categories Mean</a>

Young adults do not necessarily need extensive cardiac investigations simply because of their age. However, those who are overweight, have high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes or a family history of premature heart disease should consider regular health checks.

“Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and maintaining a healthy weight can help identify risks early. Early intervention through lifestyle changes, and medication when required, can significantly reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease later in life,” Dr. Gobu said.

Dr. Chetan noted that unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and rising blood sugar levels are increasingly seen at younger ages. These problems can develop silently and gradually affect the heart, kidneys and blood vessels.

“Young adults should not wait until they are symptomatic to start paying attention to their health. Simple tests like blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight can go a long way in identifying risks early, especially in those with a family history of diabetes, hypertension, kidney or heart disease," he told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

The experts stressed that the findings should be viewed as a call for prevention rather than alarm. Identifying and addressing risk factors early could help protect long-term heart, kidney and metabolic health.

Health Conditions A-Z

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cardiovascular kidney metabolic syndrome

CKM syndrome

American Heart Association

Life Essential 8

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A new study found that nearly 8 out of 10, or 80%, of young adults in the US, with an average age of 23, had cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.Published in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes, the study found that these young adults had CKM syndrome at Stage 1, 2 or 3, meaning they had excess adiposity, metabolic risk factors and/or evidence of subclinical cardiovascular disease.Young Adults Already Showing CKM RiskThe study included 1,283 young adults from large US cities. About 21% had no identifiable CKM risk factors (Stage 0), while none were in Stage 4.More advanced CKM stages were associated with early arterial injury, including thicker carotid artery walls, an early marker of atherosclerosis, even among people in their early 20s.Researchers said the findings highlight the need to begin prevention earlier in life. They also suggested promoting the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 early in life to improve cardiovascular health.Life’s Essential 8 focuses on healthy eating, physical activity, avoiding tobacco, healthy sleep, healthy weight, healthy cholesterol, healthy blood sugar,healthy blood pressure.Also read: Obesity-Driven CKM Syndrome A Growing Public Health Threat, Warns American Heart AssociationWhat The Findings Mean For Young Adults“The findings are important because they show that cardiovascular risk can begin building much earlier than we traditionally expect. We often associate heart disease with middle age or older adults, but risk factors such as excess weight, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and elevated blood sugar can develop silently in young adults,” Dr. Gobu P, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Gleneagles Chennai, told HealthandMe.Dr. Chetan Kumar H. B, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, added that heart, kidney and metabolic health issues can start much earlier than traditionally thought. While heart disease becomes more common with age, the risk factors that lead to it can begin developing in early adulthood.The findings do not mean that these young adults already have heart disease. Rather, the association between advanced CKM risk and early arterial changes highlights the importance of identifying and addressing risk factors early.Why Early Checks MatterRead More: Fifth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction: What the 3 New Heart Attack Categories MeanYoung adults do not necessarily need extensive cardiac investigations simply because of their age. However, those who are overweight, have high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes or a family history of premature heart disease should consider regular health checks.“Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and maintaining a healthy weight can help identify risks early. Early intervention through lifestyle changes, and medication when required, can significantly reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease later in life,” Dr. Gobu said.Dr. Chetan noted that unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and rising blood sugar levels are increasingly seen at younger ages. These problems can develop silently and gradually affect the heart, kidneys and blood vessels.“Young adults should not wait until they are symptomatic to start paying attention to their health. Simple tests like blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight can go a long way in identifying risks early, especially in those with a family history of diabetes, hypertension, kidney or heart disease," he told HealthandMe.The experts stressed that the findings should be viewed as a call for prevention rather than alarm. Identifying and addressing risk factors early could help protect long-term heart, kidney and metabolic health.

nearly 8 in 10 us young adults show signs of heart, kidney risk: why early checks matter

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Nearly 8 In 10 US Young Adults Show Signs Of Heart, Kidney Risk: Why Early Checks Matter

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