Cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health may seem like concerns for later adulthood. New research suggests that some of the risk factors linked to these conditions can already be detected in people in their twenties.
In the study, about (79%) of participants were classified above stage 0 of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.
The finding does not mean that (79%) of all adults in their twenties have heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes. It shows that most people in this particular study had at least one factor associated with increased long-term risk.
“The main message is straightforward. Being young does not make a person immune to high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, raised blood sugar or excess body fat”
CKM syndrome is a framework that describes the close relationship between excess body fat, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, raised blood sugar, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. These conditions often overlap.
A person may have metabolic risk factors before developing a formal diagnosis of diabetes, heart disease or chronic kidney disease.
The research, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, assessed young adults using clinical measurements and ultrasound imaging. Researchers assigned each participant a CKM stage, from stage 0 to stage 4. They also calculated a Life’s Essential 8 score, a cardiovascular health measure developed by the American Heart Association.
The study did not find any participants at stage 4. Together, stages 1 to 3 accounted for approximately (79.2%) of the group.
“Experts say the research nevertheless provides a useful reminder, cardiovascular and kidney risk can begin long before disease is diagnosed”
The stages do not simply represent whether someone has heart disease. Earlier stages can reflect risk factors such as excess adiposity, high blood pressure, raised blood sugar or abnormal cholesterol.
Later stages may involve more advanced kidney or cardiovascular problems. The exact criteria depend on the CKM staging system used in the research.
That distinction matters. A stage classification is not the same as a diagnosis, and it does not show that an individual will necessarily develop a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure or heart failure.
The researchers also examined cardiovascular health using Life’s Essential 8, known as LE8. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores generally indicating better cardiovascular health. It considers eight areas: diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.
The participants’ average LE8 score was (69.2). The pattern suggests that participants with more CKM risk factors tended to have lower overall cardiovascular health scores. It does not prove that a particular LE8 score will predict an individual’s future health. Instead, it provides a way to examine several important behaviours and health measurements together.
“Heart, kidney and metabolic health should not be treated as entirely separate issues. Poorly controlled blood pressure can affect both the heart and kidneys. Diabetes can increase the risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Excess visceral fat is associated with insulin resistance, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol”
Ultrasound findings added another dimension. Participants with higher CKM stages had higher arterial wall thickness. The assessment focused on the carotid arteries, which carry blood to the brain. Increased thickness in these artery walls can be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, the finding should be interpreted carefully. If the study assessed participants at one point in time, it could show an association between CKM stage and arterial thickness. It could not demonstrate how quickly the arteries changed, or prove that one caused the other. The article’s findings therefore point to an early warning marker, not confirmed rapidly progressing artery disease.
The results are significant because cardiovascular risk can develop silently. High blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and raised blood sugar may cause no obvious symptoms. Arterial changes can also occur before chest pain, breathlessness or other signs of cardiovascular disease appear.
Younger adults may be less likely to undergo formal cardiovascular risk assessment because many traditional short-term risk calculators are designed for older age groups. A low short-term risk score in a person in their twenties does not necessarily mean that their lifetime risk is low. Clinicians may instead consider individual measurements, family history, existing conditions and lifestyle factors.
That does not mean every young adult requires extensive testing. Screening decisions should reflect personal circumstances and local clinical guidance. A GP can advise on blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, blood sugar assessment or kidney tests when appropriate. People with a strong family history of early heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure may need particular attention.
The study’s findings also support a broader approach to prevention. Heart, kidney and metabolic health should not be treated as entirely separate issues. Poorly controlled blood pressure can affect both the heart and kidneys. Diabetes can increase the risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Excess visceral fat is associated with insulin resistance, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol.
The LE8 framework offers practical areas for improvement. Eating a balanced diet, being physically active, avoiding tobacco, sleeping adequately and managing weight can support general health. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can identify problems that may benefit from treatment.
The aim is not perfection. Small, sustained changes are more realistic than dramatic short-term programmes. Health advice should also recognise that food prices, working hours, housing, stress, transport and access to healthcare can all influence a person’s choices. Responsibility does not rest with individuals alone.
The study has important limitations. The available findings do not establish whether the participants were representative of all young adults. Their country, recruitment setting, sample size and personal characteristics affect how widely the results can be applied. The research also appears to describe measurements collected during a defined assessment rather than proving that participants developed progressive disease over time. Further studies would be needed to determine whether early CKM stages in young adulthood predict later clinical outcomes.
Experts say the research nevertheless provides a useful reminder, cardiovascular and kidney risk can begin long before disease is diagnosed. Recognising risk early creates an opportunity to address it. In some cases, lifestyle changes may be sufficient. In others, medical treatment may be appropriate.
Young adults should not interpret the findings as a reason to panic or self-diagnose. A CKM stage or LE8 score should be discussed in context with a qualified healthcare professional. Online calculators and general health scores cannot replace a medical assessment.
The main message is straightforward. Being young does not make a person immune to high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, raised blood sugar or excess body fat. At the same time, having one of these risk factors does not mean serious disease is inevitable.
The twenties can provide an important opportunity to establish healthier habits, identify treatable problems and understand family risk. Earlier awareness may help people and healthcare professionals act before complications develop.
More research is needed, but the study strengthens the case for viewing heart, kidney and metabolic health as connected parts of lifelong wellbeing.
The post Almost 80% of Young Adults Show Signs of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome first appeared on PP Health Malaysia.
