Cardiologists at the Heart of Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Care

The overlap and interactions among the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems have been discussed and studied for years. These systems are intimately connected — disorders of the heart, kidney and the endocrine system often coexist — and emerging data is further elucidating this link. Considering this connection, the ideal way to manage these overlapping disorders is with a holistic approach that aims to leverage synergies across specialties of the healthcare professionals involved. This team-based approach is critical in providing optimal care and improving outcomes for people with cardio-renal-metabolic diseases. On the occasion of the European Society of Cardiology congress, it is appropriate to highlight the central role of cardiologists in this holistic, collaborative approach.

With over 20,000 physicians in the U.S. specializing in care for patients with cardiovascular disease, compared with just 6,400 in endocrinology and 10,000 in nephrology, cardiologists may have a greater opportunity to treat people with multiple cardio-renal-metabolic conditions than other specialists. Indeed, in the outpatient setting, people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to see a cardiologist than an endocrinologist. Add to that the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people living with type 2 diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and it’s natural for a cardiologist to step in as a central provider of care. Cardiologists have the unique opportunity to expand their contributions toward a holistic care model in addressing cardio-renal-metabolic risks.

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“Cardiologists have the unique opportunity to expand their contributions toward a holistic care model in addressing cardio-renal-metabolic risks.”

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For most patients with overlapping diseases, it is increasingly difficult to navigate a system that forces them to see a cardiologist, endocrinologist and nephrologist separately for each underlying condition and requires them to follow separate care plans that may not necessarily be well-coordinated.

We advocate for and support a coordinated holistic treatment approach that is based on seamless communications among relevant specialties. In this context, the role and expertise of cardiologists become even more critical considering new and emerging data demonstrating the cardiovascular and renal benefits of certain diabetes medications. Utilization of these medications continues to trend relatively low, especially among cardiologists, and additional educational efforts are needed to increase familiarity of the impact of such data on clinical decision-making and care pathways. With the right resources, cardiologists can feel empowered to share their expertise with their colleagues from other specialties and provide direct input into management plans that address not only the cardiovascular but also the renal and metabolic risks in a given patient.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly are committed to working together in the ongoing efforts to support healthcare providers with educational resources on diseases within and outside of their specialty and with treatments that may benefit patients holistically. We aim to continue pushing the boundaries of therapeutic innovation, generating useful data, increasing awareness, and supporting meaningful education with the overall goal of improving outcomes for people living with cardio-renal-metabolic diseases.