What is associated with metabolic syndrome

Together, this group of health problems increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle that includes eating too many calories, being inactive, and gaining weight, particularly around your waist. This lifestyle can lead to insulin resistance , a condition in which the body is unable to respond normally to insulin. If you have insulin resistance, your body cannot use insulin properly, and your blood sugar will begin to rise.

Over time, this can lead to type 2 diabetes. If you have metabolic syndrome, you have several disorders of the metabolism at the same time, including obesity usually around your waist , high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, and resistance to insulin. This syndrome raises your risk for coronary artery disease CAD , even beyond that caused by high LDL cholesterol alone.

The things that make you more likely to develop metabolic syndrome include: footnote 2 , footnote 1. Your doctor can diagnose metabolic syndrome with a physical examination, your medical history, and some simple blood tests. You may be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the risk factors listed in the table below.

Other organizations may have different criteria for diagnosis. The main goal of treatment is to reduce your risk of coronary artery disease CAD and diabetes. The first approaches in treating metabolic syndrome are:. Author: Healthwise Staff.

Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Underlying causes of metabolic syndrome include overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, physical inactivity, genetic factors and increasing age.

Metabolic Syndrome. Recovery becomes so much more manageable when you have the right kind of emotional support. There is currently significant research focusing on understanding the key pathways that control metabolism, which would be likely targets of risk factors eg, exposure to xenobiotics, genetics and lifestyle factors eg, microbiome, nutrition, and exercise that contribute to metabolic syndrome. Understanding these pathways could also lead to the development of pharmaceutical interventions.

Examples of these problems include heart attack , stroke , and diabetes-related complications for example, damage to your eyes, nerves, kidneys, feet, and legs. Take all of your medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Make realistic short- and long-term goals for yourself when you begin to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Work closely with your doctor, and seek regular medical care. Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. View all trials from ClinicalTrials.

Visit Children and Clinical Studies to hear experts, parents, and children talk about their experiences with clinical research. Metabolic Syndrome. What Is - Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Risk Factors The five conditions described below are metabolic risk factors. A large waistline. This also is called abdominal obesity or "having an apple shape. A high triglyceride level or you're on medicine to treat high triglycerides. HDL sometimes is called "good" cholesterol.

A low HDL cholesterol level raises your risk for heart disease. High blood pressure or you're on medicine to treat high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage your heart and lead to plaque buildup.

High fasting blood sugar or you're on medicine to treat high blood sugar. Mildly high blood sugar may be an early sign of diabetes. Overview Your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke increases with the number of metabolic risk factors you have. Outlook Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common due to a rise in obesity rates among adults.

Other Names - Metabolic Syndrome. Dysmetabolic syndrome Hypertriglyceridemic waist Insulin resistance syndrome Obesity syndrome Syndrome X. Causes - Metabolic Syndrome. Researchers continue to study conditions that may play a role in metabolic syndrome, such as: A fatty liver excess triglycerides and other fats in the liver Polycystic ovarian syndrome a tendency to develop cysts on the ovaries Gallstones Breathing problems during sleep such as sleep apnea.

Risk Factors - Metabolic Syndrome. People at greatest risk for metabolic syndrome have these underlying causes: Abdominal obesity a large waistline An inactive lifestyle Insulin resistance Some people are at risk for metabolic syndrome because they take medicines that cause weight gain or changes in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Populations Affected Some racial and ethnic groups in the United States are at higher risk for metabolic syndrome than others.

Other groups at increased risk for metabolic syndrome include: People who have a personal history of diabetes People who have a sibling or parent who has diabetes Women when compared with men Women who have a personal history of polycystic ovarian syndrome a tendency to develop cysts on the ovaries Heart Disease Risk Metabolic syndrome increases your risk for ischemic heart disease.

Screening and Prevention - Metabolic Syndrome. Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Metabolic Syndrome.