What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that puts one at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and diabetes. The syndrome has become increasingly common in the United States because of overweight and obesity, and the lack of physical activity.

Who is at risk for developing metabolic syndrome?

The risk factors for metabolic syndrome include:

• Abdominal obesity
• High triglycerides
• Low HDL-cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• High fasting glucose

How is metabolic syndrome detected?

A person is considered to have metabolic syndrome if three or more of these risk factors are present:

• Abdominal obesity is measured by waist circumference. Men with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches and women with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches are considered to have abdominal obesity.
• A triglyceride level of 150 or greater is considered high.
• A low HDL is a risk factor if women have an HDL less than 50 and men have an HDL less than 40.
• Blood pressure is a risk factor if it is higher than 120/80, or if on blood pressure medicine.
• A high fasting glucose would be a level greater than 100 mg/dL.

How is metabolic syndrome treated?

The risk factors that promote the development of the metabolic syndrome are overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and diet. The recommended treatment of metabolic syndrome, therefore, is controlling these risk factors by weight loss and exercise.

6/23/2008