Metabolic syndrome: What you need to know

Metabolic syndrome refers to a set of disease risk factors that appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is also known as insulin resistance syndrome.

The syndrome is not a specific condition, but it groups together a set of risk factors that have been linked to a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The American Heart Association (AHA) describe metabolic syndrome as a “cluster of metabolic disorders,” that includes high blood pressure, high fasting glucose levels, and abdominal obesity, which, combined, increase the risk of heart disease.

Symptoms

According to the AHA, a doctor will often consider metabolic syndrome if a person has at least three of the following five symptoms:

1. Central, visceral, abdominal obesity, specifically, a waist size of more than 40 inches in men and more than 35 inches in women
2. Fasting blood glucose levels of 100 mg/dL or above
3. Blood pressure of 130/85 mm/Hg or above
4. Blood triglycerides levels of 150 mg/dL or higher
5. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL or less for men and 50 mg/dL or less for women

Having three or more of these factors signifies a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

According to the AHA, a doctor will often consider metabolic syndrome if a person has at least three of the following five symptoms:

1. Central, visceral, abdominal obesity, specifically, a waist size of more than 40 inches in men and more than 35 inches in women
2. Fasting blood glucose levels of 100 mg/dL or above
3. Blood pressure of 130/85 mm/Hg or above
4. Blood triglycerides levels of 150 mg/dL or higher
5. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL or less for men and 50 mg/dL or less for women

Having three or more of these factors signifies a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Treatment

Diagnosis initially aims to identify those people who could be at risk of metabolic syndrome, but who may benefit from lifestyle modifications rather than drug treatments.

High blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, and lipid and cholesterol abnormalities can often be targeted early with lifestyle measures.

However, some people may already be using medication for some aspect of metabolic syndrome, such as high blood pressure, when they receive their diagnosis.

Losing weight, especially in the upper body can be an effective treatment.

Suggested measures for preventing and treating abnormal cholesterol and other aspects of metabolic syndrome include

• eating a “heart-healthy diet” that is low in sugar, fat, and sodium.
• taking regular exercise
• avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol intake

The AHA suggest doing at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. These can be broken up into 10-minute sessions. Brisk walking is a good way to start.

Drug treatment

If drug treatment is recommended, this is usually with metformin.

This can help certain high-risk groups, especially people with high blood glucose levels and those on the spectrum of obesity that is not manageable with dietary and lifestyle modifications.

Source: Medical News Today