The metabolic syndrome is a group of characteristics that when combined increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type2 diabetes. 34% of the population (over the age of 20) of the United States has the metabolic syndrome.
What are the characteristics of the metabolic syndrome?
You are classified as having metabolic syndrome if you have three of the following five characteristics:
Abdominal Circumference (measured at the level of your belly button):
- < 50 in females (
- Fasting blood sugar >100
- Blood Pressure >135 (systolic -top number) or >85 (diastolic -bottom number), or if you take medications for high blood pressure.
- The following risk factors are thought to increase your risk for developing the metabolic syndrome:
- Being overweight (BMI >25)
- Increasing age
- Eating high carbohydrate diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Family history of diabetes or metabolic syndrome
What are the health risks associated with metabolic syndrome?
People with metabolic syndrome are at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease – a group of diseases that includes heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to develop on people who have the metabolic syndrome.
How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made with a physical exam, measurement of vital signs and fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
What are the treatment options for metabolic syndrome?
The good news – treatment is within our control. Patients with metabolic syndrome derive immense benefit from lifestyle changes. Lifestyle interventions reduced the incidence of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. Lifestyle interventions include weight reduction, increasing physical activity and changing the type of foods in our diets.
If you think you may have the metabolic syndrome it is crucial to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The earlier you recognize the problem the more likely your chance of reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This holiday season take some time out to give yourself the gift of good health!
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