Categories:Scientific Advisories, Statements, Guidelines,
Heart News
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Published: August 20, 2026
- A new study found that nearly 8 out of 10 young adult participants, average age 23 years, had cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM syndrome) stages 1 – 3.
- Participants in higher CKM syndrome stages had early signs of arterial injury.
- Young adults with more advanced CKM syndrome stages also had lower cardiovascular health scores, as measured by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8™ metrics.
Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
DALLAS, Aug. 20, 2026 — A new scientific study found that nearly 8 out of 10 young adult participants, average age 23 years, had cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM syndrome), according to new independent research published today in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes,a peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Heart Association
Participants with more advanced CKM syndrome had early signs of arterial injury, the researchers report, highlighting the urgent need for cardiovascular disease prevention efforts to begin earlier in life
Investigators assessed participants’ cardiovascular health status in two ways: determining their CKM syndrome stage and their Life’s Essential 8 cardiovascular health score. They checked for signs of arterial injury with ultrasound imaging of the carotid arteries (large arteries in the neck that carry blood to the brain)
“The study shows that CKM syndrome staging and Life’s Essential 8 are complementary for identifying adults younger than age 30 who may be on the fast track for arterial injury, plaque build-up and, ultimately, at higher risk for future cardiovascular events,” said study author Donald Lloyd-Jones M.D., M.S., an American Heart Association volunteer who is a cardiologist at Boston Medical Center, professor of medicine at Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, director of the Framingham Center for Population and Prevention Science, and principal investigator of the Framingham Heart Study.
CKM syndrome describes the interconnected relationship among obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. CKM syndrome is categorized by stages that reflect a person’s risk factors, ranging from 0 (no risk factors) to 4 (existing cardiovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure or stroke)
The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8™ comprises two major areas, health behaviors and health factors, that provide a framework for measuring, monitoring, and improving cardiovascular health
Measuring and monitoring cardiovascular health in your 20s
American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2026/06/09/new-ckm-guideline-urges-early-weight-talks-to-prevent-health-risks” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>guidelines for preventing and managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and CKM syndrome recommend clinicians use the Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs (PREVENT™) equations to estimate a person’s 10- and 30-year risk of cardiovascular disease. However, those equations were developed and validated for use in people aged 30-79 years. Because of the young age of participants in this study, the PREVENT equations are not applicable, Lloyd-Jones said.
“In my practice, and what I would recommend, is that the conversation focuses on Life’s Essential 8 and optimizing as many of those metrics as possible for better health today and long term,” said Lloyd-Jones, who is also a former volunteer president of the American Heart Association
The health behaviors and health factors in Life’s Essential 8 are:
- healthy eating
- physical activity
- avoiding tobacco
- healthy sleep
- healthy weight
- healthy cholesterol
- healthy blood sugar
- healthy blood pressure
“For people in their 20s, we want to focus on improving cardiovascular health,” Lloyd-Jones said. He explained that the Life’s Essential 8™ framework is designed “for measuring, monitoring, and improving cardiovascular health at any age, but especially in adolescents and young adults” and has been linked to their health now and in the long-term
Lloyd-Jones added that these everyday health measures help people understand how lifestyle choices influence heart, kidney, and metabolic health over time and provide practical steps to improve overall health
Study Details
Scientists analyzed health data from 1,283 participants in the Future of Families–Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults (FF-CHAYA) study, a diverse cohort of adults with an average age of 23 years and found:
- Nearly 80% of participants met criteria for CKM syndrome stage 1, 2 or 3, meaning they already had excess adiposity, metabolic risk factors, and/or evidence of subclinical cardiovascular disease. About 21% had no identifiable CKM risk factors (Stage 0). None were in stage 4.
- Young adults with more advanced CKM syndrome stages had poorer Life’s Essential 8 scores.
- More advanced CKM syndrome stages were associated with early arterial injury, including thicker carotid artery walls, which is an early marker of atherosclerosis, even among people in their early 20s.
Researchers concluded that the findings highlight the urgent need for prevention efforts to begin earlier in life, suggesting there are opportunities to improve cardiovascular health and prevent disease progression long before cardiovascular disease becomes clinically apparent
Study limitations
The study has several limitations, including its cross-sectional design, which shows association but cannot establish cause and effect, multiple outcomes were evaluated simultaneously, and the use of some self-reported health behavior data. In addition, because the study population intentionally included many individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, the findings may not be generalizable to all young adults. Researchers say additional long-term studies are needed to determine how CKM syndrome stage in young adulthood relates to future cardiovascular disease risk.
Co-authors, disclosures and funding
Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study’s authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.
Additional Re
- Multimedia is available on the right column of release link
- After August 20, 2026, view the manuscript online.
- What is CKM syndrome, and why should young adults pay attention?
- Obesity rates in the U.S. climbed to about 40% of adults and 20% of youth in 2023 (July 2026)
- First-ever guideline on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome issued (June 2026)
- Daily Habits That Protect CKM Health
- American Heart CKM Initiative
- Follow American Heart Association/American Stroke Association news on X @HeartNews
- Follow news from the American Heart Association’s Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes journal @CircOutcomes
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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