Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is the name for a combination of three or more of the risk factors listed below, you are at increased risk for having heart attack or stroke:

• Diabetes (high blood sugar >100 mg/dL after fasting)
• High triglycerides - at least 150 mg/dL
• Low HDL (<50 mg/dL in women)
• Hypertension (Blood pressure of 130/85 or highe)
• Abdominal obesity. A waist measurement of 35 inches or more or waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.80 is a predictor of high triglycerides and low HDL levels

A person who has metabolic syndrome is twice as likely to develop heart disease. Other risk factors, such as a high cholesterol and smoking also increase your risk for heart disease. The chance of developing metabolic syndrome is closely linked to obesity and a lack of physical activity. Insulin resistance is a condition condition where the hormone insulin becomes less effective at lowering blood sugars. Insulin resistance can lead to high blood sugar levels, and is closely linked to overweight and obesity.

Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common due to a rise in obesity rates and is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease.

You can calculate your risk of Metabolic Syndrome for heart disease and stroke here:

http://www.cardiachealth.org/risks-benefits/cardiovascular-risk