ACC/AHA 2026
ACC/AHA 2026
First-Ever Guideline for Cardiovascular-Kidney-
A practical unified prevention framework linking obesity , kidney, and cardiovascular disease.
* ACC/AHA released the first guideline dedicated to CKM Syndrome, integrating cardiovascular, kidney, metabolic, and obesity care into a single framework.
* The guideline replaces the 2013 obesity guideline and recognizes obesity as a central driver of multiorgan disease progression.
* Introduces a new 4-stage CKM classification from overweight/prediabetes (Stage 1) to established cardiovascular disease (Stage 4).
CKM Stages (ACC/AHA 2026)
* Stage 1: Overweight/obesity or prediabetes.
* Stage 2: Presence of ≥1 metabolic risk factor (HTN, diabetes, dyslipidemia), CKD, or both
* Stage 3: Subclinical CVD or very high cardiovascular risk.
* Stage 4: Established CVD (CAD, HF, Stroke, PAD, AF).
* For the first time, GLP-1 receptor agonists are recommended for selected high-risk patients to reduce cardiovascular events.
* Supports use of GLP-1 RA and SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk.
* Strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care models involving cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, obesity medicine, and primary care.
Take-Home Message
The new ACC/AHA guideline shifts the focus from treating isolated risk factors to managing cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disease as one interconnected syndrome, with obesity recognized as a key driver throughout the disease continuum.
Source: Medscape Medical News, June 9, 2026 (ACC/AHA CKM Guideline; Circulation & JACC).
https://www.medscape.com/