Calming the storm: Collaborative efforts to combat the global cardiovascular – kidney – metabolic  health crisis

The global impact of the cardiovascular – kidney – metabolic (CKM) syndrome

"It is very clear that we have an epidemic of overlapping cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic conditions," says Janani Rangaswami, Nephrologist and Professor of Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. " About 1 in 3 U.S. adults have at least three risk factors for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a health disorder related to the strong connections among cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and metabolic disease." 

The storm of interconnectedness is complex, with each element often coexisting and amplifying the others. So, how can we better equip people living with these conditions to navigate and manage this storm? 

"Everything from a patient level to a clinician level, to the healthcare systems level, to healthcare policy level is an entirely fragmented story, and it still continues to be that way in 2024," says Dr. Rangaswami.

This fragmentation presents an opportunity for transformative change that could greatly improve the outcomes for people with CKM syndrome. Sandy Sommer, Corporate SVP, Head of Therapeutic Area CRM at Boehringer Ingelheim, recognizes a significant opportunity. "There is a huge unmet need and an opportunity for all key stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem to play their role in making sure we can help more individuals and protect people from the consequences of cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic conditions," says Sommer. "At Boehringer, we advocate for an integrated approach to managing these conditions to improve treatment efficiency and patient outcomes.”

Breaking down silos to embrace an integrated approach to care

"People with risk factors for cardiovascular disease don’t just have one risk factor, they often have other conditions including, diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, obesity, or kidney disease. Having clusters of risk factors significantly enhances risk," notes Dr. Rangaswami.

To navigate the storm effectively, Sommer advocates for an integrated care model that employs an interdisciplinary approach to managing cardiovascular, renal and metabolic conditions. "In combination with other major NCDs (non-communicable diseases), the management of these conditions costs on average $2 trillion every year. An integrated approach can facilitate early detection and management of these diseases and  can help reduce the overall burden on healthcare systems," suggests Sommer. 

“Improving the health of one organ can lead to positive effects across the others,” adds Dr. Rangaswami. “I think patients need to understand that it's not one health factor that's driving it [CKM]. It is a conglomerate of several aspects of their health. But importantly, I think they should also approach their care with hope and optimism, because it is important to give it a name, it's important to give it a diagnosis.”

Collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, policymakers, and pharmaceutical companies can guide us toward calmer waters. 

"Whoever sees the patient first is who should treat the patient, whether that be a primary care physician, nephrologist, or a cardiologist," Sommer asserts. 

"By breaking down the silos in specialty training and healthcare delivery, we can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs," concludes Dr. Rangaswami.

Fostering collaboration for enhanced CKM patient care

At Boehringer Ingelheim, we're proud to be one of the founding supporters of the American Heart Association’s Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) Health Initiative. As Sommer notes, "The goal of this four-year effort is to look at the problem in a way that brings patients into the health system framework where they're identified and screened early , and they're appropriately managed based on not just their risk level, but also in terms of health care resources."

Looking ahead, Dr Rangaswami envisions a future where hospitals establish dedicated CKM syndrome health centers. She expresses her hope that these centers will identify patients based on specific risk factors and conduct screenings for individuals who might not typically be assessed.

“I want to see integrated management become an expected routine with these processes implemented. For me that’s a win," she emphasizes.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Dr Rangaswami states, "It takes a village to do a lot of different things in life, and this is no exception. The more supporters in the ecosystem that we can bring together to help change the way patients with CKM syndrome are treated, the better." 

Sommer echoes this sentiment, "I think with thoughtful industry supporters who have an interest in holistic health, we're really able to bridge the gap between where we are now and where we aspire to be." 

Together, we can weather the storm of CKM syndrome and steer toward a healthier future.

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