Blood Pressure Response to Exercise and Aortic Stiffness in Patients With Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome

Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a recently defined clinical syndrome characterized by the coexistence and interaction of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic disorders, including obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals with CKM syndrome commonly exhibit vascular dysfunction, endothelial impairment, arterial stiffness, and an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise has been recognized as an early marker of future hypertension and adverse cardiovascular outcomes, its relationship with aortic stiffness in patients with CKM syndrome has not been adequately investigated. The aim of this observational study is to evaluate the association between blood pressure response during a clinically indicated exercise stress test and aortic stiffness in adults with CKM syndrome. Eighty patients with physician-diagnosed CKM syndrome who are referred for routine exercise stress testing in the cardiology outpatient clinic will be enrolled. Blood pressure will be measured immediately before and after the exercise test. Aortic stiffness will be assessed using transthoracic echocardiography by calculating the aortic stiffness index (β-index) from systolic and diastolic aortic diameters and concurrent blood pressure measurements. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, cardiovascular risk factors, medication use, lifestyle characteristics, and clinical data will also be collected. The findings may clarify whether blood pressure response during routine exercise testing can serve as a simple, non-invasive indicator of increased aortic stiffness and improve cardiovascular risk stratification in individuals with CKM syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria: * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Aged 18 years or older. * Diagnosis of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome. * Referred by a cardiologist for a clinically indicated exercise stress test as part of routine clinical care. * Able to perform an exercise stress test. Exclusion Criteria: * Physical disability or any medical condition that precludes performing an exercise stress test. * Diagnosis of major depressive disorder