What You Should Know About Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors for metabolic syndrome include:
* Obesity, especially around the waist
* High blood pressure
* High cholesterol
* High blood sugar
* Physical inactivity
* Family history of metabolic syndrome
Having three or more of these risk factors means you have metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as:
* Losing weight
* Eating a healthy diet
* Getting regular exercise
* Quitting smoking
* Managing stress
If you have metabolic syndrome, talk to your doctor about how to manage your risk factors and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome usually doesn't cause any symptoms. However, you may have some of the following symptoms if you have one or more of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome:
* Weight gain, especially around the waist
* High blood pressure
* High cholesterol
* High blood sugar
* Sleep apnea
* Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
* Acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition that causes dark, velvety patches of skin
How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following risk factors:
* Waist circumference of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women
* Blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher
* Fasting blood sugar of 100 mg/dL or higher
* HDL (good) cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women
* Triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or higher
Your doctor may also order other tests, such as a lipid profile and a fasting glucose test, to confirm the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.
Can metabolic syndrome be prevented?
There is no sure way to prevent metabolic syndrome, but you can reduce your risk by:
* Eating a healthy diet
* Getting regular exercise
* Maintaining a healthy weight
* Quitting smoking
* Managing stress
If you have any of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, talk to your doctor about how to manage your risk and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.