What is Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome occurs when you have a combination of three or more factors that increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These factors include:

• High fasting blood sugar (glucose).
• High blood triglyceride level.
• High blood pressure.
• Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) blood cholesterol.
• Having a waist measurement that is:
  • More than 40 inches in men.
  • More than 35 inches in women.

Metabolic syndrome is sometimes called insulin resistance syndrome or syndrome X.

What are the causes?

The exact cause of this condition is not known. It may be related to a combination of the factors that were passed down from your parents (genes) and things that you do, eat, and drink (lifestyle choices).

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if you:

• Eat a diet high in calories and saturated fat.
• Do not exercise regularly.
• Are obese.
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Have insulin resistance.
• Have a history of gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy.
• Have conditions such as cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Are older. The risk increases with age.
• Use any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Metabolic syndrome has no specific symptoms. Having abnormal blood test results may be the only signs of metabolic syndrome.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your blood pressure measurements.
• Your waist measurement.
• Blood tests.
• Your personal and family medical history.

How is this treated?

Treatment may include:

• Lifestyle changes to reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, such as:
  • Exercise.
  • Weight loss.
  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Stopping tobacco and nicotine use.
• Medicines that:
  • Help your body maintain normal blood glucose levels.
  • Lower your blood pressure and your blood triglyceride levels.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Exercise regularly, as told by your health care provider.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Work with your health care provider to lose weight safely, if needed.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• If directed, measure your waist regularly and write down the measurements. To measure your waist:
  • Stand up straight.
  • Breathe out.
  • Wrap a measuring tape around the part of your waist that is just above your hip bones.
  • Read and write down the measurement.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You feel very tired.
• You are extremely thirsty.
• You urinate a lot more than usual.
• Your waist gets bigger.
• You have headaches that do not go away.

Get help right away if:

• You suddenly develop any of the following:
  • Dizziness.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Trouble speaking.
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Weakness in an arm or leg.
  • Chest pain.
  • Trouble breathing.
• Your heartbeat feels abnormal.
• You faint.

Summary

• Metabolic syndrome occurs when you have a combination of three or more factors that increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• These factors include a high fasting blood sugar (glucose), high blood triglyceride level, high blood pressure, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) blood cholesterol, and a waist measurement that is more than 40 inches in men or more than 35 inches in women.
• Metabolic syndrome has no specific symptoms. Having abnormal blood test results may be the only signs of metabolic syndrome.
• Treatment may include lifestyle changes and medicine to reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.