Review article

Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Health in Croatia

Ana Jelaković
Ivan Pećin
Josipa Josipović
Valerija Bralić Lang
Olgica Velkovski
Andrej Belančić
Bojan Jelaković

Abstract

Cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health is a new concept brought by the American Heart Association in 2023, but it is in fact a return of the old and forgotten holistic approach so much needed in the era of NCD pandemic. Among several items, CKM highlights the role of chronic kidney disease not only as an independent CV risk factor but also as an accelerator and aggravator of every stage of CKM syndrome. This article discusses CKM health in Croatia, stressing the significance of tackling modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes to reduce cardiovascular disease burden. Despite the well-established role of hypertension as a leading risk factor, Croatia lacks a national program for its management. The article stresses the importance of a holistic, life-course approach to CKM health, integrating primordial prevention from childhood and utilizing risk assessment tools like the PREVENT equation and the MEGA calculator of the Croatian Hypertensive League for comprehensive risk assessment. It also emphasizes reducing salt intake as a critical and cost-effective measure. We advocate multidisciplinary care and collaboration among healthcare professionals to improve CKM health outcomes in Croatia.

Keywords

cardio-reno-metabolic health, holistic approach, chronic kidney disease, arterial hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases

Hrčak ID:

338535

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/338535

Publication date:

27.10.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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