Metabolic Syndrome

Michael Jubinville, MPH

Metabolic syndrome is not a disease. It's a group of risk factors. They make the chances of heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes higher.

It's made up of higher than normal:

Blood pressure
Fats in the blood
Fasting blood glucose
Weight—fat around the belly is the main problem

About 35% of adults in the US have metabolic syndrome. Your doctor can test your levels. Then, you can take steps to lower to bring the levels into a normal range. Doing so will lower your chances of serious health problems.

References:

About metabolic syndrome. American Heart Association website. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome#.V1bFWk2FMdU. Accessed August 27, 2018.

Metabolic syndrome. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/obesity-and-the-metabolic-syndrome/metabolic-syndrome. Updated December 2016. August 27, 2018.

Metabolic syndrome. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome. Accessed August 27, 2018.

Metabolic syndrome in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated March 29, 2018. Accessed August 27, 2018.

4/15/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed... : Mottillo S, Filion KB, Genest J, et al. The metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;56(14):1113-1132.

Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcin Chwistek, MD
Last Updated: 8/27/2018