The study shows that CKM syndrome, newly defined by the American Heart Association in 2023, is not just a medical concept but a real-world predictor of life expectancy and health outcomes. Kidney disease link: Those with CKM syndrome were over ten times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), requiring dialysis or transplantation. Shorter life expectancy: Each additional component reduced life expectancy by approximately 2.5 years for men and 3 years for women. This study is among the first large-scale evaluations of CKM syndrome in an Asian population, reinforcing the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary care. More information: Min-Kuang Tsai et al, Cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic syndrome and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: A retrospective cohort study, PLOS Medicine (2025).