Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Causes and Risk Factors
Metabolic syndrome is closely linked to overweight or obesity and inactivity. It is also linked to a condition called insulin resistance. Normally, your digestive system breaks down the foods you eat into sugar. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that helps sugar enter your cells to be used as fuel.
In people with insulin resistance, cells do not respond normally to insulin, and glucose cannot enter the cells as easily. As a result, your blood sugar levels rise even as your body churns out more and more insulin to try to lower your blood sugar.
Risk factors include:
- Insulin resistance: If your body has difficulty using insulin effectively, you are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.
- Obesity: Carrying too much weight, especially in your abdomen, increases your risk.
- Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle increases your risk of metabolic syndrome.
- Age: Your risk increases as you get older.
- Diabetes: You are more likely to have metabolic syndrome if you had diabetes during pregnancy or if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Other diseases: Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome are associated with metabolic syndrome.
Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Changes
An aggressive, heart-healthy lifestyle is the first-line treatment for metabolic syndrome. A heart-healthy lifestyle includes:
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Getting regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes most days)
- Quitting smoking if you smoke
- Managing stress through relaxation techniques, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices
If lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may prescribe medications to manage individual risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or abnormal cholesterol levels.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.