Nearly 90% of Americans are at risk for a silent disease: Here’s what you need to know

Heart health in the United States is improving in one key way, but a newly defined syndrome is raising alarm bells.

The findings come from the American Heart Association (AHA), which reported improvements in life expectancy and fewer heart attacks and strokes compared to 2023.

New to this year’s report is the focus on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a framework that examines the interconnected risks related to heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity.

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The AHA estimates that nearly 90% of American adults have at least one component of CKM syndrome.

While fewer Americans are dying from cardiovascular events, experts warn that the prevalence of these risk factors could lead to future disease if not addressed.

The data shows that the impact is not evenly distributed across age groups.

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“We’re seeing a mixed report with some good news and some concerning,” Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, told News Digital.

Stroke deaths increased among certain age groups, including an 8.3% increase among adults ages 25 to 34 and an 18.2% increase among people ages 85 and older, according to the AHA.

The data also showed increases in high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity among children and adolescents ages 2 to 19.

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Serwer said the increase in stroke deaths among younger adults is particularly concerning because it reflects a long-term risk that can silently accumulate over time.

He pointed out prevention strategies aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk.

The AHA promotes a comprehensive prevention strategy known as “Life’s Essential 8,” which focuses on eight modifiable components of cardiovascular health, Serwer explained.

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The eight elements include a healthy diet, participation in physical activity, avoiding nicotine, healthy sleep, healthy weight, and healthy levels of blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure.

He noted that improving those factors could prevent up to 40 percent of annual all-cause and cardiovascular deaths among adults.

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“It’s not enough to sit back and celebrate a reduction in heart attacks and strokes,” Serwer said. “We need to aggressively analyze the data on our youth and look for ways to combat childhood obesity, high blood pressure and metabolic syndromes that will manifest as cardiovascular diseases in the future.”