Metabolic syndrome describes a common condition in which obesity, high blood pressure, blood glucose (“blood sugar”), and abnormal cholesterol profile (dyslipidemia) cluster together in one person. When these risk factors occur together, the chance of developing coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes is much greater than when these risk factors develop independently. According to the American Heart Association, almost 25% of Americans are affected by metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition that affects about 34 % of adults and places them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and diseases related to fatty buildups in artery walls. The underlying causes of metabolic syndrome include overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and genetic factors.
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when patients have at least three of the following risk factors:
- Abdominal Obesity (Waist circumference: 40 inches or above in men, and 35 inches or above in women)
- Triglyceride level of 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater
- HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg.dL in men or less than 50mg/dL in women
- Systolic Blood Pressure greater than 130 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure greater than 85 mm Hg
- Fasting Glucose of 100 mg/dL or greater
Metabolic syndrome is a serious condition, that can be improved with changes to lifestyle, including weight loss, increased physical activity, heart healthy diet and management of blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure.
Risks associated with Metabolic Syndrome:
Metabolic syndrome is also associated with a generalized metabolic disorder called insulin resistance, which prevents people from using insulin efficiently. Therefore, metabolic syndrome is also sometimes called insulin resistance syndrome.
People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for the following:
- Atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, and other diseases related to fatty buildups in artery walls. These blockages narrow the arteries and restrict blood circulation throughout the body, but are especially dangerous when they affect the arteries leading to your brain, heart, kidneys and legs.
- Coronary heart disease and heart attack. When the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits called plaque, they decrease the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart, which can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack.
- Stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted by a blocked or burst blood vessel, which deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients. Within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die, resulting in brain damage, other complications, or death.
- Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body can no longer make enough insulin or is unable to use insulin properly. This causes sugars to build up in the blood and increases risks for kidney failure and cardiovascular disease.More than one in three (34%) of U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome. Although these risks are significant, there is good news. Metabolic syndrome can be treated and you can reduce your risks for cardiovascular events by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, getting adequate physical activity, and following your healthcare providers’ instructions. Source: www.heart.org
- Uric acid and Metabolic Syndrome: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736857/pdf/nihms468393.pdf
- Lowering Uric Acid and Blood Pressure: http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/60/5/1148.full.pdf+html