KSAT Community CKM Syndrome
Heart disease, kidney disease and Type 2 diabetes are often treated as separate conditions, but medical experts increasingly recognize that they are closely connected. Known as cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, this relationship can create a cycle in which one condition worsens another, increasing the risk of serious health complications.
As part of our KSAT Community partnership, University Health explains how CKM syndrome affects the body and why a coordinated approach to care is essential for patients living with diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and other metabolic disorders. The story also highlights University Health's Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Clinic, the first and only clinic of its kind in South Texas, bringing together specialists across multiple disciplines to treat these interconnected conditions.
“Type 2 diabetes is extremely common in our community and affects more than blood glucose,” said Dr. Shweta Bansal, a nephrologist with University Health. “In one in three patients, diabetes damages kidneys, injuring the blood vessels that filter excess water and waste. Diabetes also significantly increases the risk of heart disease, and when all three conditions occur together, they’re not operating in isolation, they make each other worse.”
Read more to learn how CKM syndrome connects some of the most common chronic health conditions, or watch our Medical Minute video featuring Dr. Bansal for quick expert insight into protecting your heart, kidney and metabolic health.
