The Metabolic Syndrome is closely related to insulin resistance, and is a medical condition linked to central obesity, high blood pressure, elevated fasting blood sugar, low HDL cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides. The Metabolic Syndrome affects 25% of adults in the United States, and significantly increases the chance for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Another 25% of adults in the United States are very close to this diagnosis. Individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome usually have the following:
- A large waistline. This is also called central obesity or “having an apple shape.” Excess fat in the abdominal area is a greater risk factor for heart disease than excess fat in other parts of the body, such as on the hips.
- A higher than normal triglyceride level in the blood (or you’re on medicine to treat high triglycerides). Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood
- A lower than normal level of HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) in the blood (or you’re on medicine to treat low HDL). HDL is considered “good” cholesterol because it lowers your chances of heart disease. Low levels of HDL increase your chances of heart disease.
- Higher than normal blood pressure (or you’re on medicine to treat high blood pressure).
- Higher than normal fasting blood sugar, (or you’re on medicine to treat high blood sugar). Increased fasting blood sugar can be an early warning sign of diabetes.
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria for the diagnosis of the Metabolic Syndrome, a patient needs to have 3 or more of the following 5 criteria:
- Abdominal obesity: waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men and greater than 34.5 inches in women.
- Hypertriglyceridemia: greater than 150 mg/dL
- Low HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL in men and less than 50 mg/dL in women.
- Blood pressure: greater than 130/85 mm Hg.
- Fasting blood sugar: greater than 100 mg/dL