Research shows that only about half of Americans with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome receive treatment for high blood pressure (51%) or high cholesterol (49%), and even among those being treated, fewer than half achieve adequate control. According to Gram Research analysis of 2015-2023 data, young adults, women, and Hispanic adults face the biggest treatment gaps, with young adults aged 20-44 having treatment rates as low as 20% for high cholesterol.
A major study of over 6,000 Americans found that many people with a serious condition affecting their heart, kidneys, and metabolism aren’t receiving treatment for it. Researchers discovered that only about half of patients with high blood pressure or high cholesterol were being treated, and even among those receiving treatment, fewer than half had their condition under control. The problem was especially bad in younger adults, women, and Hispanic communities. According to Gram Research analysis, these findings show there’s a huge opportunity to help more people prevent heart disease and other serious health problems.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 6,384 Americans with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome found that only 51% of those with high blood pressure and 48% of those with high cholesterol were receiving treatment, compared to 83% of those with diabetes.
Among treated individuals in the study, blood pressure control was achieved in only 45% of patients, glycemic control in 47%, and cholesterol control in 68%, indicating that medication alone often fails to reach treatment goals.
Young adults aged 20-44 years with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome had the lowest treatment rates across all conditions, with only 28% treated for high blood pressure, 74% for diabetes, and 20% for high cholesterol.
Hispanic adults had significantly lower treatment rates for hypertension and hyperlipidemia compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the 2026 study of over 6,000 Americans with cardiometabolic disease.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How many Americans with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome—a condition where the heart, kidneys, and metabolism don’t work well together—are getting treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, and whether that treatment is actually working.
- Who participated: 6,384 American adults aged 20 and older with moderate to severe CKM syndrome, with an average age of 44 years and about half being women. The group represented the general U.S. population.
- Key finding: Only about half of people with high blood pressure (51%) or high cholesterol (49%) were receiving treatment, while 83% of people with diabetes were treated. However, even among those being treated, fewer than half had their condition under control—only 45% had normal blood pressure and 47% had normal blood sugar levels.
- What it means for you: If you have heart, kidney, or metabolic problems, there’s a good chance you might not be getting all the treatment you need. Talk to your doctor about whether you should be on medication for blood pressure or cholesterol. This is especially important if you’re under 45, a woman, or Hispanic, as these groups were less likely to receive treatment in the study.
The Research Details
Researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a large government study that tracks the health of Americans from 2015 through 2023. They looked at information from over 6,000 adults who had cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome at stage 2 or higher (meaning moderate to severe disease). The researchers counted how many people were taking medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, and then checked whether those medications were actually working by measuring their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
The study was designed to be representative of the entire U.S. adult population, so the results should apply broadly to Americans. Researchers adjusted their numbers to account for differences in age and sex, and they used special statistical methods to handle the complex survey design. This approach allowed them to estimate what’s happening across the whole country, not just in the people they directly studied.
This type of study is important because it shows us the real-world picture of how well we’re treating serious health conditions in America. Rather than testing a new drug or treatment in a controlled setting, researchers looked at what’s actually happening in everyday medical practice. This helps doctors and public health officials understand where the biggest problems are and where they need to focus efforts to improve care.
This study has several strengths: it used a large, nationally representative sample of over 6,000 people, included data from multiple years (2015-2023), and adjusted for important factors like age and sex. The researchers were careful to measure both whether people were getting treatment and whether that treatment was working. However, the study is observational, meaning it shows what’s happening but can’t prove that lack of treatment causes worse outcomes. The data came from surveys and medical measurements at a single point in time, so we don’t know how treatment patterns changed for individual people over time.
What the Results Show
The study revealed a major gap between who needs treatment and who’s getting it. Only about half of Americans with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome were being treated for high blood pressure (51%) or high cholesterol (49%), even though both conditions significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. In contrast, 83% of people with diabetes were receiving treatment, suggesting that diabetes is more commonly recognized and treated.
Even more concerning, among the people who were being treated, most still didn’t have their condition under control. Only 45% of treated patients had normal blood pressure, 47% had normal blood sugar levels, and 68% had normal cholesterol levels. This means that even when people were on medication, the medication often wasn’t doing its job well enough.
The problem was especially bad in certain groups. Young adults aged 20-44 had the lowest treatment rates across all three conditions: only 28% were treated for high blood pressure, 74% for diabetes, and 20% for high cholesterol. Women were less likely than men to receive treatment for diabetes and high cholesterol. Hispanic adults had the lowest treatment rates for high blood pressure and high cholesterol compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
The study found that treatment rates increased as people’s risk of heart disease got higher, which makes sense—doctors are more likely to prescribe medication to people at highest risk. However, this also revealed a troubling pattern: among people with the highest risk of heart disease, blood pressure and blood sugar control were actually worse, even though they were being treated. This suggests that the medications being used might not be strong enough, or that people might not be taking them as prescribed.
This research adds important new information to what we already know about cardiometabolic disease in America. Previous studies have shown that many Americans don’t get adequate treatment for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but this study provides the most recent and comprehensive picture of the problem, especially for people with the combined heart-kidney-metabolic condition. The findings align with other research showing that younger adults and certain racial and ethnic groups face bigger barriers to getting treatment.
This study has several important limitations. First, it’s observational, meaning it shows what’s happening but can’t prove that lack of treatment causes worse health outcomes. Second, the data came from surveys and medical measurements at one point in time, so we don’t know how individual people’s treatment changed over the years. Third, the study didn’t look at why people weren’t being treated—it could be that some people declined treatment, couldn’t afford it, or their doctors didn’t recommend it. Finally, the study measured treatment rates and control at a single visit, so it doesn’t capture whether people’s conditions improved or worsened over time.
The Bottom Line
If you have cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome or risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, talk to your doctor about whether you need medication and whether your current treatment is working. This is especially important if you’re under 45, a woman, or Hispanic, as these groups were found to be undertreated in this study. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol regularly to make sure your treatment is effective. If your numbers aren’t at goal, work with your doctor to adjust your medications or lifestyle changes. (Confidence level: High—based on a large, nationally representative study)
This research is most relevant for people with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. It’s especially important for young adults (ages 20-44), women, and Hispanic adults, who were found to be undertreated. Healthcare providers should also pay attention to these findings to identify gaps in their own practices. People without these conditions should still care because the findings highlight a major public health problem that affects millions of Americans.
If you start or adjust treatment for high blood pressure or high cholesterol, it typically takes 4-12 weeks to see the full effect of medication changes. Blood sugar control can improve more quickly, sometimes within days to weeks of starting diabetes medication. However, the real benefit comes from long-term treatment—preventing heart attacks and strokes takes months to years of consistent, well-controlled risk factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Americans with heart and kidney problems are getting treatment for high blood pressure?
Only 51% of Americans with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome are receiving treatment for high blood pressure, according to a 2026 study of over 6,000 people. The rate is even lower in young adults aged 20-44, at just 28%.
Why aren’t more people with high cholesterol getting medication?
The study found that only 49% of Americans with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome receive cholesterol treatment. Reasons may include lack of awareness of the condition, cost barriers, or doctors not recommending medication, though the study didn’t investigate specific causes.
Does medication actually work for controlling blood pressure in these patients?
Among people taking blood pressure medication, only 45% achieved normal blood pressure levels. This suggests that while medication helps, many people need dose adjustments, additional medications, or better medication adherence to reach their goals.
Which groups of people are least likely to get treatment for heart and metabolic disease?
Young adults (ages 20-44), women, and Hispanic adults had the lowest treatment rates. Young adults had treatment rates as low as 20% for high cholesterol, compared to higher rates in older age groups.
What should I do if I have cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome?
Talk to your doctor about whether you need medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Ask for regular monitoring of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. If your numbers aren’t at goal despite treatment, work with your doctor to adjust your medications or lifestyle.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your blood pressure, blood sugar (if diabetic), and cholesterol levels monthly or as recommended by your doctor. Log the date, your reading, and whether you took your medications that day. This helps you and your doctor see if your treatment is working and identify patterns.
- Set daily medication reminders in your app and log each time you take your blood pressure or blood sugar medication. If you’re not currently on treatment but have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, use the app to track your readings and share them with your doctor to discuss whether medication might help.
- Create a monthly check-in where you review your average blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol readings. Compare them to your target goals set with your doctor. If readings are trending in the wrong direction, flag this for your next doctor’s appointment. Track which medications you’re taking and any side effects to discuss with your healthcare provider.
This research describes current treatment patterns for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome in the United States and should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or kidney disease, consult with your healthcare provider about appropriate screening, diagnosis, and treatment options for your individual situation. Treatment decisions should be made in partnership with your doctor based on your personal risk factors, medical history, and preferences. This article summarizes research findings and does not replace professional medical evaluation or care.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.