Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder that includes cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and obesity. These four interrelated conditions share common risk factors and can predispose each other. It is common for people to suffer from more than one of these conditions simultaneously. The stage of the disease at diagnosis can determine its severity.
What is CM Syndrome?
CM Syndrome (cardiorenal metabolic syndrome) is a newly identified disorder that affects most major organs, including the heart, kidneys, brain, and liver. This complex disorder encompasses four interrelated medical problems and highlights the relationship between them.
These conditions are:
- Cardiovascular disease (diseases of the heart and blood vessels).
- Kidney disease.
- Type 2 diabetes.
CM stands for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic. Metabolic means obtaining energy from food. Obesity and type 2 diabetes stay metabolic diseases. Each of the four conditions that make up CM Syndrome can cause or aggravate the other.
People often suffer from more than one of these conditions at the same time. This is not surprising, as these conditions are related through blood. After digesting food or drink, nutrients and energy are transported through the blood to the body’s cells. The heart and blood vessels socialize blood throughout the body. The kidneys filter waste from the blood. The body needs all of these systems to function properly for good health.
Having more than one of these conditions increases the risk of developing the others in people with CKM.
How common is CM syndrome?
CM syndrome is a recently identified condition, and there is no data on it like what researchers discovered many years ago. However, one in three American adults has at least three risk factors for developing cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic syndrome.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of CM syndrome can include any of the four conditions that make up cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic syndrome, such as:
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fainting (loss of consciousness).
- Swelling of legs, feet, hands, or ankles.
- Leg pain when walking.
- Loss or increased appetite.
- Urgency to urinate.
- Dry skin.
- Sleep apnea.
What causes CM syndrome?
Excess fatty tissue (fat) or abnormal amounts of fat in the body cause CM syndrome. This type of tissue releases substances that cause inflammation and damage to the materials of the heart, kidneys, and arteries. Inflammation reduces the effectiveness of insulin. It also contributes to plaque buildup and kidney damage.
What are the risk factors for CM syndrome?
Risk factors for CM syndrome include:
- Excess fat around the waist.
- High cholesterol.
- High blood pressure.
- Kidney disease.
- Metabolic syndrome.
What are the complications of this condition?
Complications of CM syndrome include:
- Heart failure.
- Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
- Heart attack.
- Diagnosis and Testing
How is CM syndrome diagnosed?
Healthcare professionals can use various tests to diagnose CM syndrome.
These include:
- Taking blood pressure.
- Ordering a lipid profile. Monitoring blood sugar levels.
- Monitoring kidney function.
- Measuring calcium in the coronary arteries.
- Measuring BMI (body mass index).
Doctors can test children to detect these problems and help them prevent cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic syndrome early.
Based on the test results, your doctor may diagnose you with CM syndrome. They will then choose one of the disease stages, ranging from 0 to 4, with stage 4 indicating the highest risk of cardiovascular disease.
Stages of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Syndrome
Stages of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Syndrome:
- Stage 0: No risk factors.
- Stage 1: Excess body fat, especially in the abdominal area.
- Stage 2: Type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.
- Stage 3: Early cardiovascular disease (without symptoms) or at high risk of developing it.
- Stage 4: Cardiovascular disease (with symptoms), excess body fat, and risk factors for metabolic disorders. Kidney failure may or may not occur.
You can change your stage by making changes to improve your health.
Management and Treatment
How is CM syndrome treated?
Treatment for CRS varies depending on the underlying medical conditions. When treating CM syndrome, doctors can develop an individualized treatment plan. Since CM syndrome affects multiple organs, a treatment plan involving several specialists is best.
In the early stages of the disease, you may only need small lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity.
In the middle stages of the disease, you may need medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Obese people may need medications to reduce appetite. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of these medications over time.
In later stages of the disease, you may need:
- Stents to maintain blood flow through clogged arteries.
- Cardiac interventions, such as cardioversion or ablation.
- Open or minimally invasive heart surgery.
- Kidney dialysis.
- Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery. Treatment Complications/Side Effects
Lifestyle changes have no side effects, unlike many medications. Call your doctor if you experience any side effects that bother you. Surgeries and dialysis can increase your risk of infections and blood clots. Talk to your doctor about possible complications associated with your upcoming procedure.
How long does recovery take from these procedures?
If you undergo a procedure or surgery, your recovery may take one or several weeks. This depends on the type of surgery, other medical conditions, and other factors.
Outlook/Prognosis
What to Expect from CKM Syndrome
CKM syndrome can cause symptoms associated with underlying medical conditions. However, having more than one medical condition can complicate your treatment. Researchers hope for a future where each patient receives comprehensive treatment for CKM syndrome, rather than treating one body system at a time. If you see more than one doctor and receive conflicting advice, discuss it and ask for clear instructions.
Prognosis for CM Syndrome
Your prognosis for CM syndrome depends on how well you and your doctor manage your condition. You can change the stage of RMS-CV by receiving the treatments your doctor recommends.
Prevention
Can CM syndrome be prevented?
Yes, some people can prevent CM syndrome by living a healthy lifestyle. For others, a healthy lifestyle can only slow its progression. Based on your family history, your doctor can help you identify areas at risk for developing RMS-CV. They can develop an action plan to help you stay healthy.
How to Reduce Your Risk
There are many ways to reduce your risk of developing CM syndrome, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Getting enough sleep.
- Avoiding smoking.
- Controlling your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
- Exercising regularly (30 minutes a day).
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Living with CM syndrome.
How can I take care of myself?
You can take care of yourself by following healthy habits and following your doctor’s recommendations. Self-care strategies may include:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Checking your blood sugar regularly if you take type 2 diabetes.
- Monitoring your blood pressure frequently with a home blood pressure monitor.
- Taking medication for any medical conditions you may have.
When should I see a doctor?
Staying up-to-date with your doctor is key to managing CM syndrome. Regular visits to your doctor allow them to monitor your risk factors or symptoms. They also help ensure you are properly managing your condition and taking the correct medication doses. They can detect developing problems before they worsen and become more difficult to treat.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
We recommend asking your doctor the following questions:
- What is the most important thing I can do to prevent myasthenia gravis (MC) or change the stage of the disease?
- Should I take medication to reduce my risk of developing MC?
- How often should I get tested to monitor my progress toward my health goals?
- Should my family members be tested for my conditions?
Summary
MC is a complex disorder that affects multiple organs. Researchers have discovered several ways to treat the different conditions that comprise it. It’s in your best interest to use available treatments to feel your best. Doctors understand that some people have difficulty eating well, affording prescription medications, or staying physically active. If you need help with any of these issues, ask your doctor to recommend programs that can help you live the healthy life you deserve.