Metabolic Syndrome


Metabolic syndrome is a term commonly used in the press and medical literature to describe a group of medical disorders found in one person. While the exact criteria for a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome may vary by physician, it is generally agreed that metabolic syndrome is characterized by a clustering of risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular disease.

The main medical disorders most commonly associated with metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, high blood pressure, cholesterol abnormalities, and an increased risk for clotting. Metabolic syndrome sufferers are often overweight or obese, although excess body fat alone is not enough to warrant a metabolic syndrome diagnosis.

Could you have metabolic syndrome?

While the criteria for this diagnosis are not universal, there are some general guidelines to be aware of. According to the 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel, a person with metabolic syndrome will display three or more of the following traits:

  • Abdominal obesity: a waist circumference over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women.
  • Serum triglycerides levels of 150 mg/dl or above.
  • HDL cholesterol of 40mg/dl or lower in men and 50mg/dl or lower in women.
  • Blood pressure of 130/85 or more.
  • Fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dl or above.

While the World Health Organization has slightly different criteria, abdominal obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure and fasting blood glucose levels (which help determine insulin resistance) are constant factors considered in a metabolic syndrome diagnosis.

Are you at risk for metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome, which is also known as Syndrome X, is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It’s estimated that over 50 million people in America suffer from metabolic syndrome.

Obesity seems to be the greatest risk factor for developing metabolic syndrome. While metabolic syndrome is present in about 5% of people with normal body weight, as many as 22% of overweight people are believed to have it. In addition, it’s estimated that 60% of obese people suffer from metabolic syndrome. A lifestyle that consists of very little physical activity and progressive weight gain seems to increase the risk for metabolic syndrome, with people who gain five or more pounds per year being 45% more likely to develop it.

In addition to weight gain, other behaviors can increase your risk for metabolic syndrome. Smoking, eating a high-carbohydrate diet, and consuming an alcohol-free diet may lead to the development of metabolic syndrome. In addition, a lack of physical activity can increase your risk, even if you’re not actually gaining weight because of a restrictive diet.

Genetic and environmental factors also play a role in the development of metabolic syndrome. People with a family history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or early heart disease are more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome. Women who are post-menopausal are also at increased risk.

How Is Metabolic Syndrome Treated?

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Treating metabolic syndrome typically involves a combination of addressing the underlying causes of the problem, as well as treating any persistent cardiovascular risk factors. Lifestyle modifications and medication may be used to treat metabolic syndrome.

Lifestyle modifications used to treat metabolic syndrome and prevent cardiovascular disease usually involve diet and exercise habits that are designed to help patients reach and maintain a healthy weight. The current trend is to encourage people who suffer from metabolic syndrome to adopt a “Mediterranean diet” that balances “good” fats with carbohydrates and proteins. A Mediterranean diet has been proven to help people lose weight, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels.

In addition to dietary changes, metabolic syndrome patients should be encouraged to exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Most people achieve this by exercising for 30 minutes a day, five days per week. Moderate exercise done on a consistent basis has been proven to improve high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as address insulin sensitivity, which is a common marker of metabolic syndrome.

If diet and exercise modifications are not enough to reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, doctors may prescribe medication to better control cholesterol levels, lipids, and high blood pressure, especially if the patient has already suffered a heart attack. Ideally, the patient will take aggressive steps at home to address these risk factors before metabolic syndrome can develop into serious cardiovascular health issues.