Metabolic Syndrome
(Syndrome X; Insulin Resistance Syndrome; Dysmetabolic Syndrome)
Definition
Metabolic syndrome is a mix of things that increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. There are at least 3 of these:
- High blood pressure
- High triglyceride levels
- Large waistline
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol
- High fasting blood glucose
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Causes TOP
The cause of metabolic syndrome is not clear. Genes, diet, and activity level may all play a role.
Risk Factors TOP
Metabolic syndrome is more common in people with:
-
Health issues linked to metabolic problems such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cholesterol problems
- Heart disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- History of gestational diabetes
- Above health issues in family members
- Low levels of physical activity
- Poor diet
- Unhealthy habits, such as smoking
- Certain medicine, such as some antipsychotics
Symptoms TOP
There are no symptoms for metabolic syndrome itself. Too much weight in the belly is one risk factor.
Diagnosis TOP
Many of these tests are done as part of routine check ups. Metabolic syndrome is test results show 3 or more of these:
- Fasting glucose level—100 mg/dL* (5.55 mmol/L) or higher
- Triglyceride level—150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or higher
- HDL cholesterol—40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) or less in men and less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women
- Blood pressure—130/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher
- Waist that is 40 inches or more in men or 35 inches or more in women
*mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter of blood, mmol/L = millimoles per liter of blood
Treatment TOP
The goal of treatment is to cut the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Steps may treat issues that caused metabolic syndrome or other heart disease risk factors. Lifestyle changes may play a large role. Medicine may be needed if lifestyle changes are not enough to lower risk.
Lifestyle Habits
The first step is often lifestyle changes. This may include:
- 30 to 60 minutes of exercise 5 or more days per week, should use effort level that leads to increase in heart rate and breathing
-
Healthy diet choices such as:
- Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Lean meats, poultry, and fish
- Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
- Limit or avoid processed foods or other foods high in saturated and trans fats, sodium and added sugar
- Proper portion sizes
- Stop smoking
- Weight loss—goal to decrease waist size below risk level and keep weight off
These steps can help to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They can also affect problems with insulin which can lead to diabetes. These changes can make large changes for some people. Others may need medical care.
Medicine
Medicine may be needed to treat factors that lead to metabolic syndrome. They may also decrease the risk of heart disease. Options include medicine to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower insulin resistance and risk of diabetes
- Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Lower clotting in the blood—a risk factor for heart disease and stroke
Prevention TOP
To decrease the risk of developing metabolic syndrome:
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Reach and keep a healthy weight.
- Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca
Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca
REFERENCES:
Explore metabolic syndrome. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 31, 2019.
Metabolic syndrome. American Heart Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed October 31, 2019.
Metabolic syndrome in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/metabolic-syndrome-in-adults . Updated March 29, 2018. Accessed October 31, 2019.
Samson SL, Garber AJ. Metabolic syndrome. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;43(1):1-23.
1/22/2015 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113812/Metabolic-syndrome-in-adults : Xu Y, Shen S, Sun L, et al. Metabolic syndrome risk after gestational diabetes: Asystematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9(1):e87863.
7/15/2015 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113812/Metabolic-syndrome-in-adults : Dibaba DT, Xun P, Fly AD, Yokota K, He K. Dietary magnesium intake and risk of metabolic syndrome: A meta-analysis. Diabet Med. 2014;31(11):1301-1309.
Last reviewed October 2019 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
Last Updated: 10/31/2019