Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on October 27, 2021 Metabolic syndrome is a health condition that everyone's talking about. Although the first formal definition of metabolic syndrome entered medical textbooks not so long ago
[1998], it is as widespread as pimples and the common cold. According to the American Heart Association, 47 million Americans have it. That's almost a staggering 1 out of every 6 people. The syndrome runs in families and is more common among African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American people. The risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases as you age. Indeed, metabolic syndrome seems to be a
condition that many people have, but no one knows very much about. It's also debated by the experts -- not all doctors agree that metabolic syndrome should be viewed as a distinct condition. So what is this mysterious syndrome, which also goes by the scary-sounding name syndrome X, and should you be worried about it? Metabolic syndrome is not a disease in itself. Instead, it's a group of risk
factors -- high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and abdominal fat. Specifically, metabolic syndrome can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. This is when fats, cholesterol, and other substances stick to the sides of the
arteries. The arteries then become clogged and brittle. Blood clots form when the artery walls are damaged. A clot can cause a heart attack or stroke. Obviously, having any one of these risk factors isn't good. But when they're combined, they set the stage for serious problems. These risk factors double your risk of
blood vessel and heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. They increase your risk of diabetes by five times. The good news is that metabolic syndrome can be controlled, largely with changes to your lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there are five risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome. For men: 40 inches or larger Either 150 mg/dL or higher or Using a cholesterol medicine Either For men: Less than 40 mg/dL or Using a cholesterol medicine High Blood Pressure Either Having blood pressure of 130/85 or greater or Using a high blood pressure medicine 100 mg/dL or higher To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you would have at least three of these risk factors. Experts aren't sure why metabolic syndrome develops. It's a collection of risk factors, not a single disease. So it probably has many causes. Some risk factors are: If you've just been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, you might be anxious. But think of it as a wake-up call. It's time to get serious about improving your health. Making simple changes to your habits now can prevent serious illness in the future.Understanding Metabolic Syndrome
Risk Factors for Metabolic
Syndrome
Large Waist Size
For women: 35 inches or larger
Cholesterol: High Triglycerides
Cholesterol: Low Good Cholesterol [HDL]
For women: Less than 50 mg/dL
Blood Sugar: High Fasting Glucose Level
What Causes Metabolic Syndrome?
Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions that often occur together and increase your risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
- The main components of metabolic syndrome include obesity, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, low levels of HDL cholesterol and insulin resistance.
- Healthy eating and increased physical activity are the keys to avoiding or overcoming problems related to metabolic syndrome.
- Consult your doctor about ways to manage metabolic syndrome.
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