Cardiometabolic clinic

Cardiometabolic disease affects millions of Americans, but it often goes unnoticed. This disease happens when common conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, occur at the same time. Together, these conditions put more strain on your heart and metabolism, which increases your risk for things like heart disease or stroke.

These conditions are more common than ever as diabetes, obesity and hypertension continue to be a growing problem. In fact, people with cardiometabolic disease are two times more likely to die from coronary heart disease and three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those without it.

At Advocate Heart Institute’s cardiometabolic clinic, we’re working hard to change that. Our team takes a proactive and whole-health approach to addressing your cardiometabolic health and helping you manage this disease. We bring in a multidisciplinary team to treat heart, vascular, kidney and metabolic issues together – ensuring you receive the best treatment possible.

What is cardiometabolic disease?

Cardiometabolic disease occurs when problems with your heart and blood vessels coincide with problems with how your body processes energy and sugar. For example, if you are prediabetic and also have hypertension and extra belly fat, your risk for cardiometabolic disease increases.

Each condition within this disease can be harmful for your health. When you combine them, the problem becomes much more serious.

What are the three types of cardiometabolic disease?

Cardiometabolic disease is not defined by formal types, but they can be divided into three main groups:

• Cardiovascular diseases: These conditions affect the heart and blood vessels. Examples include heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke.
• Metabolic diseases: These conditions relate to how your body processes energy, sugar and fat. Examples include Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Associated organ diseases: These conditions often develop because of metabolic and cardiovascular problems. Examples include chronic kidney disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

What are the risk factors for cardiometabolic disease?

There are five cardiometabolic risk factors that play a significant role in a cardiometabolic disease diagnosis. These include:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar or prediabetes
• High cholesterol
• Insulin resistance
• Lifestyle factors like smoking or tobacco use, poor diet or lack of exercise

Cardiometabolic disease treatment at our cardiometabolic clinic

Because this disease is a group of interconnected conditions, our cardiometabolic clinic brings together experts in kidney, heart, vascular and metabolic diseases to provide the best care possible. We also work closely with other Advocate Heart Institute programs to ensure you receive coordinated, comprehensive treatment for all aspects of your diagnosis.

For some patients, our team may recommend additional support such as nutrition counseling, behavioral health resources or a referral to weight loss programs that can help improve your cardiometabolic health.

Conditions treated at our cardiometabolic clinic 

You can receive treatment for the following conditions at our clinic:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Metabolic syndrome and disease
• Liver conditions like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Prediabetes
• Vascular disease

How to prevent cardiometabolic disease

Improving your cardiometabolic health and reducing your risk centers on making healthy lifestyle choices. Managing risk factors early is crucial.

Focus on improving these lifestyle factors:

Treat existing conditions

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, follow your treatment plan and take medications as prescribed.

Get regular health screenings

Monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight regularly to prevent these conditions before they occur.

Maintain a healthy weight

Even modest amounts of weight loss can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

Eat a balanced diet

Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Limit processed foods, salt, saturated fats and sugary drinks.

Stay active

Try to get about 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week. Walking, cycling and swimming are all good choices.

Don’t smoke

Avoid all tobacco products. It significantly increases your risk for heart disease, stroke and other metabolic conditions.

Limit alcohol

Excessive alcohol can raise blood pressure, increase triglycerides and add extra calories that contribute to weight gain, which puts you at greater risk for cardiometabolic disease.

Prioritize sleep

Sleep helps control hormones associated with hunger and fullness, which can help you maintain a healthy weight. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night.

Reduce stress

Chronic stress can worsen blood pressure and blood sugar. Practice stress-reducing activities like yoga or relaxing hobbies.

Cardiometabolic clinic locations