New CKM assessment tools see limited uptake in clinics

Clinical takeaway: Consider incorporating CKM syndrome staging and the PREVENT risk equations into routine cardiovascular prevention workflows. This survey suggests many clinics already screen for individual risk factors but may be missing opportunities to assess risk more comprehensively and coordinate care across heart, kidney, and metabolic disease.

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome reflects the interconnected nature of obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Nearly 90% of US adults have at least one CKM-related condition, making early identification and risk stratification increasingly important.

A survey of 97 U.S. clinical sites participating in the American Heart Association's CKM Health Initiative found widespread screening for individual CKM risk factors but limited adoption of newer guideline-recommended assessment tools. The participating sites were predominantly outpatient practices, with strong representation from primary care settings.

Three-quarters of sites reported screening for CKM-related conditions, and 73% systematically screened patient populations for CKM risk factors. Screening for social drivers of health was also common, reported by 75% of sites.

However, only 28% of sites reported using the PREVENT equations to estimate cardiovascular risk, and just 22% used CKM syndrome staging. Waist circumference, a simple measure included in CKM assessment, was routinely measured at only 22% of sites.

Researchers said the findings establish a baseline for a quality-improvement effort involving approximately 150 sites nationwide. Ongoing assessments are planned to identify barriers to implementation and track adoption of CKM-focused care models over time.

“These tools, and even CKM syndrome as a medical condition, embrace relatively new concepts just beginning to be adopted,” said lead author Chiadi Ndumele, MD, PhD. “This baseline is important because it shows we have opportunity to improve patient care as we help clinicians understand how to better incorporate these tools into their practices.”

These findings were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2026 and have not yet been peer reviewed.

Source: Ndumele C, et al. (2026 Nov 2) American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2026, Abstract MDP0261. Survey finds gaps in use of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome tools