Global Point Of Care

CHECK. KNOW. MANAGE.

Understanding Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome

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family on dock
family on dock

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is the intersection of risk factors and health conditions that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.

These conditions share risk factors and symptoms that can escalate disease progression. To keep feeling your best and minimize your risk, it’s important to care for your whole body with regular check-ins. 

WHAT, WHEN, AND WHY TO TEST

If cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or kidney disease runs in your family, mention it when you see your doctor. In the meantime, your doctor may want to check your:

A1c—Shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months, helping to diagnose or monitor diabetes.

Albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)—Assesses your kidney function and detects early signs of kidney damage.

Lipid panel—Measures the levels of different types of cholesterol in your blood.

Blood pressure—Measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. Hypertension is when your blood pressure is consistently too high.

Body weight and waist circumference—Gauges whether you may be at risk for a metabolic disorder. 

Performed quickly and easily in-office, point-of-care testing (POCT) results are available for review in minutes, so your doctor can advise you immediately on next steps. Annual check-ups are common, but your doctor may have a more personalized recommendation for you. 

WHY EARLY SCREENING CAN BE IMPORTANT

The key to feeling your best is staying ahead of issues before they become problems. Investing a little time and effort to screen early for possible problems may pay off down the road by giving you more options, simpler treatments, or easier steps to follow should a more difficult situation arise.

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people playing tennis
people playing tennis

POSITIVE WAYS OF REDUCING RISK

There are a number of steps you can take to reduce your CKM risk factors while helping your body feel healthy:

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Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. The Mediterranean diet or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) are good examples1
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Stay active by taking regular walks2
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Manage stress in calming ways that appeal to you3
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Get regular, ample rest4
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Avoid tobacco products5
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Follow your doctor’s guidance on medications, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, and weight6,7

UNDERSTANDING BARRIERS TO CARE

In this brief video, Dr Olu Jegede, the Chief Health Equity and Community Impact Officer at Cone Health, describes the value of POCT in his work and explains why improving access to care may have a positive impact on health and wellness. 

Watch video

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR NUMBERS WITH POCT

POCT refers to medical diagnostic testing done at a location convenient for you, such as a nearby medical center, pharmacy, health fair, etc. With POC testing, the procedure, results, and one‑on‑one consultation with a health care provider are completed on-site immediately, in a matter of minutes. Studies have shown
that POC analyzers provide results with accuracy equivalent to traditional labs.8

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people in yoga studio
people in yoga studio
Does your doctor, pharmacy, or community health center do poc testing?
DOES YOUR DOCTOR, PHARMACY, OR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER DO POCT? 

Ask your health care provider about POC A1c and ACR testing with the Afinion™ 2 instrument and cholesterol testing with the Cholestech LDX™ instrument from Abbott. Trusted by healthcare professionals, both instruments deliver fast and accurate results from a simple fingerstick, leading to better patient outcomes.

Know your A1c numbers
ALREADY KNOW YOUR A1c NUMBERS? 

Learn more about what your A1c means and how you can manage it at KnowMyA1c.Abbott

Know your cholesterol
ALREADY KNOW YOUR CHOLESTEROL NUMBERS? 

Learn more about what your cholesterol numbers mean and how you can lower them at MyCholesterolHealth.abbott.

Cholestech and Afinion 2

ARE YOU A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER?

Discover all the benefits Abbott’s Afinion™ 2 instrument and Cholestech LDX™ system can bring to your practice, including rapid, lab‑accurate results for HbA1c, ACR, and lipid profiles in approximately 5 minutes, enhancing office efficiencies and elevating patient care. 

References

  1. “CKM Syndrome: The Intersection of Obesity, Diabetes, Heart and Kidney Diseases: Heart: Kidneys: UT Southwestern Medical Center.” https://utswmed.org/medblog/cardio-kidney-metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed April 1, 2025. 
  2. Murtagh E, et al. “Walking: The First Steps in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.” Curr Opin in Cardiol (2020): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3098122/
  3. Schneider RH, et al. “Stress Reduction in the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Randomized, Controlled Trial of Transcendental Meditation and Health Education in Blacks.” Circ (2012): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7269100/
  4. “Poor Sleep May Increase Cardiovascular and Stroke Risk.” MNT. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/optimal-sleep-linked-with-74-lower-cardiovascular-risk. Accessed April 1, 2025. 
  5. Gallucci G. “Cardiovascular Risk of Smoking and Benefits of Smoking Cessation.” J Thorac Dis (2020): https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2020.02.47.
  6. Roland J. “Preventing Heart Disease with Checkups and Routine Screens.” Healthline, February 15, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/work-with-your-doctor-to-prevent-heart-disease#bottom-lin. Accessed April 1, 2025.
  7. “How To Prevent a Second Heart Attack” Carilion Clinic. https://www.carilionclinic.org/health-and-wellness/article/how-prevent-second-heart-attack. Accessed April 1, 2025. 
  8. Abbott. Cholestech LDX™ System: The accuracy and reproducibility of a rapid fingerstick method for measuring a complete lipid profile is comparable to clinical diagnostic laboratory methods. Technical brief. August 2019.

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