DALLAS, Jan. 7, 2026 — New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that light physical activities, such as walking or household chores, are linked to a reduced risk of death for individuals with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. This condition encompasses heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity, affecting nearly 90% of U.S. adults.
The study highlights that an increase of just one hour of light physical activity per day is associated with a 14% to 20% lower risk of death, particularly benefiting those in advanced stages of CKM syndrome. This association is most pronounced for individuals in stages 2, 3, and 4 of the syndrome, where the risk of heart disease and stroke is significantly heightened.
Understanding CKM Syndrome and Its Stages
CKM syndrome is characterized by a combination of high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood glucose, excess weight, and reduced kidney function. These factors collectively elevate the risk of severe cardiovascular events. The syndrome is categorized into stages from 0 to 4, with higher stages indicating greater risk.
Stage 0 includes individuals with normal health metrics, while stage 1 encompasses those with excess weight or pre-diabetes. Stage 2 involves multiple CKM components or moderate kidney disease risk. Stage 3 is marked by very high-risk kidney disease or subclinical cardiovascular disease. Stage 4 includes those with chronic kidney disease who have experienced heart attacks or strokes.
The Role of Light Physical Activity
While traditional guidelines often emphasize moderate to vigorous physical activity, this new study suggests that even light activities can offer substantial health benefits. “There’s growing evidence that lighter activity like walking or gardening can be beneficial for heart health,” said Dr. Michael Fang, assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Data from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to analyze activity levels among approximately 7,200 adults. Participants’ activities were measured using accelerometers, which categorized their movements into light, moderate, or vigorous intensity.
“Light physical activity is something you can do without losing your breath,” explained Joseph Sartini, a Ph.D. candidate in biostatistics at Johns Hopkins. “Common examples are yoga, casual walking, stretching, and household chores.”
Findings and Implications
The research found that increasing light physical activity from 90 minutes to two hours daily resulted in a 2.2% risk reduction in stage 2 CKM syndrome, compared to a 4.2% reduction in stage 4. This suggests that light activity is particularly beneficial for those in later stages of the syndrome.
“Light physical activity is an overlooked treatment tool that can help improve heart health for people with CKM syndrome,” Sartini noted. “For those in later CKM syndrome stages, the potential health benefits of light activity are substantial.”
Bethany Barone Gibbs, an American Heart Association volunteer, emphasized the importance of this research, stating, “Light intensity activities provide a great opportunity to promote energy expenditure, movement, and circulation — all healthy physiological processes.”
Limitations and Future Research
Despite its promising findings, the study is observational and cannot definitively establish causation. Researchers acknowledge that individuals with more advanced illness might naturally engage in less physical activity and have a higher predisposition to mortality.
Future research is needed to explore the direct impacts of light physical activity on mortality rates and to further understand its benefits for individuals with CKM syndrome.
As the medical community continues to explore the benefits of light physical activity, this study underscores the potential for simple lifestyle changes to significantly impact health outcomes, especially for those facing the complexities of CKM syndrome.
