A simple score, CKM2S2-BAG, to predict cardiovascular risk with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health metrics

The 2023 American Heart Association (AHA) Health Presidential Advisory recommends risk assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) within the context of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome (CKMS). However, an intuitive and easy-to-use risk score incorporating CKM health metrics remains needed to prevent CVD in daily practice. We constructed an acronym-based clinical risk score using CKM-related predictors and externally validated its predictive performance for total CVD and its subtypes of atherosclerotic CVD and heart failure, based on two prospective community-based cohorts. We found the Cholesterol, Kidney function, Male [Doubled], Smoker [Doubled]-Blood pressure, Age, and fast blood Glucose (CKM₂S₂-BAG) score exhibited good-to-excellent and robust performance regarding discrimination and risk stratification for total CVD and its subtypes in internal and external validation. Using clinical routine data, the CKM₂S₂-BAG score accurately discriminates participants at cardiovascular low, intermediate, and high risk. Thus, it might help improve CVD prevention and management in clinical practice without any paper or electronic tools.