Cardiometabolic Diseases - Help patients with comorbid chronic conditions (2024)

• Explore connections
• Address diagnostic complexity
• Empower clinical decisions
• Provider resources

Four major cardiometabolic conditions—cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)–are connected in several ways, starting with shared risk factors:

• Age
• Family history
• Health habits, including smoking, excessive alcohol use, unhealthy diets, obesity and inactive lifestyle¹

Metabolic factors related to both genes and lifestyle also contribute to cardiometabolic risk, including:²

• High blood glucose
• Low levels of HDL cholesterol
• High levels of triglycerides
• Large waist circumference
• High blood pressure

Cardiometabolic conditions frequently overlap

CVD, Diabetes, CKD, and NAFLD/NASH tend to cluster together: The presence of one cardiometabolic disease increases the risk of having another.³

Consider how these four conditions are connected and which diagnostic tests from Labcorp may be appropriate for patients with each condition. For example, in addition to foundational tests, Labcorp offers cardiogenetic testing, as well as the option to measure for the presence of insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, biomarkers and lipoprotein particles to guide you in prioritizing interventions and individualizing treatment.

Empowering clear, confident decisions

At Labcorp, we understand the complexity of screening, diagnosing, and managing patients with comorbid conditions. That's why we provide you with a simplified way to clearly navigate the maze of testing options and increase guideline-recommended screening.

We can help deliver clarity as you identify and care for patients at risk for developing cardiometabolic conditions.

Comprehensive cardiometabolic testing portfolio

Labcorp offers a full range of testing options for CVD, diabetes, CKD, and NAFLD/NASH to enable an integrated guideline driven approach to chronic condition evaluation and management.

See testing options

Cardiometabolic conditions: Benefits of early detection

For both high-risk patients without a diagnosed condition and patients who already have a diagnosed cardiometabolic disease, timely interventions are key to improving health outcomes.

Lifestyle changes or medication can slow or prevent a single disease from progressing or related conditions from developing. But of comorbidities starts, the risks of increased mortality, decreased quality of life, and increased use of healthcare services rise.⁴

Complexity in diagnosis has created gaps in recommended Cardiometabolic screening

The first step in gaining more clarity is to identify and evaluate cardiometabolic risks. The latest guidelines from leading medical organizations—including the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Heart Association, and American Diabetes Association—have evolved to recommend screening for comorbid cardiometabolic conditions.^5-7

However, many patients with potential cardiometabolic multi-morbidities do not receive recommended screenings. For example, patients with diabetes and hypertension are at risk for CKD, yet only 13% receive guideline-recommended testing in routine care.⁸

Determining the right diagnostic test is crucial

Cardiometabolic conditions require a laboratory-based diagnosis. Tests such as lipid panels and glycemic assays remain foundational to assess a patient's risk of developing CVD or diabetes.

Evolving guidelines and advanced biomarkers have made it necessary for primary care providers to have deep expertise across a wide range of specialties to determine the appropriate diagnostic test. With the number of patients with multi-comorbid conditions growing, having a simplified way to efficiently identify those most at-risk for developing cardiometabolic conditions is key.

How to help patients living with comorbid chronic conditions

Download our guide to learn more about identifying and monitoring for significant cardiometabolic conditions and the broad range of tests Labcorp offers to screen for them.

Download the guide(Opens in a new window)

Tools to increase efficiency and optimize care

Our easy-to-use, web-based analytic tools complement our testing offerings to help you focus on providing the best possible care for your patients.

References

1. Brunzell J, et al. Lipoprotein Management in Patients With Cardiometabolic Risk: Consensus Conference Report From the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology Foundation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;51(15):1512-1524.
2. American Heart Association. What is Metabolic Syndrome? Accessed February 3, 2023. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome
3. Chronic Diseases in America. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed November 25, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm
4. Kendir C, van den Akker M, Vos R, Metsemakers J. Cardiovascular disease patients have increased risk for comorbidity: A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands. Eur J Gen Pract. 2018;24(1):45-50.
5. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;326(8):736-743. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.12531.
6. Arnett D, et al. 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;140:e596-e646.
7. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 11. Chronic kidney disease and risk management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2022. Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Suppl. 1):S175-S1.
8. Ennis J, Gillespie B, Allego D, Letovsky S. "CKD Screening Among At-Risk Individuals is Inadequate: An Analysis from a National Laboratory Database." Poster presented at 2020 National Kidney Foundation Spring Assembly. March 26, 2020.