Cardiometabolic health is the connection between heart health, kidney health, and metabolic health. These three systems don't work in isolation - a change in one can quietly affect the others, which is why healthcare professionals are increasingly assessing them together.
Heart, kidney and metabolic risk factors can develop quietly over time, often without any symptoms at all.
Small health checks can help you better understand your health and take the next step with confidence.
These systems work together and often share common risk factors — such as excess weight around the waist, raised blood pressure and elevated blood sugar.
However, simple and small lifestyle changes make the biggest difference.
Know What Matters
Cardiometabolic health is the connection between heart health, kidney health, and metabolic health. These three systems don't work in isolation - a change in one can quietly affect the others, which is why healthcare professionals are increasingly assessing them together.
Blood Pressure
Healthy: under 120/80 mmHg
Low: below 90/60 mmHg · High: 140/90+
Blood Sugar
Healthy: 4.0–5.5 mmol/L through the day
Low: under 4.0 · High: fasting 7.0+ mmol/L
Cholesterol
Total: under 5.0 mmol/L
LDL ('bad'): under 2.0 · HDL ('good'): 1.0+
Waist Measurement
Increased risk: over 94 cm (men) · over 80 cm (women)
Lifestyle Habits
Move 30 min most days · Eat well, less salt · Stay smoke-free · Limit alcohol · Keep connected
References:
- Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Cholesterol. Victorian Department of Health. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cholesterol
- Diabetes Australia. (n.d.). Blood glucose target range. https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/managing-diabetes/blood-glucose-range/
- Diabetes Victoria. (n.d.). Diagnosis. https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/about-diabetes/diagnosis/
- Healthdirect Australia. (2025, May 8). What is a healthy blood pressure? https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-is-a-healthy-blood-pressure
- myDr. (2024, January 11). Cholesterol: What is your target? https://mydr.com.au/heart-stroke/cholesterol-what-is-your-target/
- National Heart Foundation of Australia. (2025, November 11). What is a healthy body weight? https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/healthy-body-weight
- National Heart Foundation of Australia. (2026, May 12). Blood pressure and your heart. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart
- Ndumele, C. E., et al. (2026). 2026 AHA/ACC/ADA/ASN guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 87(22S), e1889–e2007.
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. (n.d.). High cholesterol: Symptoms, causes and treatment. https://www.victorchang.edu.au/heart-disease/high-cholesterol