What Is CKM Syndrome and How Can It Affect Cancer Risk?

You may not yet have heard of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, but it can affect your cancer risk.

According to statistics from a data analysis published in JAMA, nearly 90% of adults in the U.S. met the criteria for a newly defined condition: cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. The condition, which was identified and defined by the American Heart Association, highlights the overlap of several health issues that can increase the risk of developing other conditions in this triad. The goal of defining the condition was to encourage a multidisciplinary approach to care that looks at these factors and how they interact and increase the risk of a range of health problems.

The conditions that make up CKM syndrome include:

• Cardiovascular disease, which can affect the heart and blood vessels throughout the body
• Kidney disease
• Metabolic disease, in this case type 2 diabetes and obesity

The American Heart Association, as part of its definition of CKM syndrome, divided the condition into five stages that reflect how far it has progressed:

• Stage 0: No risk factors
• Stage 1: Overweight/obesity or prediabetes without other metabolic risk factors, kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease
• Stage 2: One or more metabolic risk factor (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, and/or kidney disease, without cardiovascular disease
• Stage 3: Asymptomatic cardiovascular disease and CKM risk factors, very high risk chronic kidney disease, or a high predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease
• Stage 4: Diagnosed cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and/or atrial fibrillation) with overweight or obesity, other metabolic risk factors, or kidney disease

Your risk of developing CKM syndrome can be influenced by a number of health issues, including chronic inflammation and some autoimmune disorders; sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea; mental health conditions including depression and anxiety; some reproductive health factors such as gestational diabetes, early menstruation, pregnancy hypertension, premature menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome (now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome), infertility (male and female), erectile dysfunction, and decreased testosterone levels; and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

The CKM syndrome-cancer risk connection

In addition to the negative impact that the conditions that make up CKM syndrome can have on your health, studies have found an association between higher stages of the syndrome and increased cancer risk. In a new study, researchers found an association between advanced CKM syndrome, especially stages 3 and 4, and a higher overall cancer risk. Stage 3 was associated with a 25% increase, while stage 4 was associated with 30% increase.

Another study uncovered an increase in overall cancer risk as the stage of CKM syndrome rose. The increase in cancer risk was linked to a complex interplay among the cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic systems, with dysfunction in one area potentially triggering or exacerbating dysfunction in others. Shared risk factors for CKM syndrome and cancer also raise the risk of cancer.

Some research also focuses on the increased risk of liver cancer specifically. Stages 3 and 4 of CKM syndrome were determined to be an independent risk factor for the development of liver fibrosis in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, a condition that currently affects more than a third of American adults and is projected to affect 41.4% by 2050. Liver fibrosis causes scar tissue to build up in the liver, causing chronic inflammation and disrupting blood flow and normal liver function, which in turn is associated with an increase in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Steps to take now to lower your risk of CKM syndrome and improve overall wellbeing

There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of developing CKM syndrome or reduce your stage of current CKM syndrome. A study published in JACC: Advances found that lifestyle changes were an effective first-line therapy for the management of CKM syndrome.

Start your risk reduction efforts with these strategies:

• Get recommended preventive care and screenings: Detecting and effectively managing the range of conditions that influence the development of CKM syndrome is key. Regular blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function, and weight and body measurements checks can help your health care provider detect and treat problems early.
• Choose a healthy diet: Eating a diet that focuses on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, fiber, healthy fats, and lean protein and limiting sodium and sugar can help reduce the risk of many of the conditions that contribute to CKM syndrome.
• Be more active: One study found that even the light physical activity of common everyday activities was associated with a lower risk of mortality related to CKM syndrome. Ideally, after consulting with your healthcare provider, you should aim to get 150 minutes of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. This level of activity is associated with a reduction in your cancer risk as well a lower risk of heart and metabolic disease.
• Manage your weight: Talk with your healthcare provider to determine what a healthy weight is for you. If you need to lose weight, your provider and your health advisor can help you build a plan to lose weight safely and gradually.
• Get enough sleep and address sleep disorders: Aim for 7 to 9 hours of good quality sleep per night. To improve the quality of your sleep, make your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet; put your phone in do not disturb mode and stop using screens an hour or so before bed; and try to go to bed and get up at approximately the same time every day. If you have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, work with your provider to find the best treatment for you.
• Don’t smoke and limit alcohol: Smoking not only increases the risk of several types of cancer, it also negatively impacts your cardiovascular health. Alcohol has also been associated with an increased risk for several types of cancer, as well as an increased risk of heart and kidney disease. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

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For more information about how PinnacleCare’s Health Advisors could assist you with cardiovascular and/or kidney wellness, connect with us today

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