Metabolic syndrome is a collection of interconnected physiological, biochemical, clinical, and metabolic factors that directly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and all-cause mortality. It's essentially a cluster of conditions that occur together, amplifying your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include:
- Increased Blood Pressure: This refers to the force of blood against the arterial walls as the heart pumps it around the body. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when this force is consistently too high.
- High Blood Sugar Levels: Often a sign of the early stages of type 2 diabetes, this implies that your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells) or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.
- Excessive Fat Around the Waist: Central obesity, where excessive fat is stored around the abdomen, is a key feature of metabolic syndrome.
- Abnormal Cholesterol or Triglyceride Levels: This refers to high levels of harmful triglycerides or low levels of beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. When out of balance, they can contribute to the narrowing and hardening of arteries, known as atherosclerosis.
These factors are often interrelated and can induce one another. For instance, obesity is linked to insulin resistance, which can raise blood sugar levels and triglyceride levels while also reducing good cholesterol levels. Additionally, high blood pressure often coexists with these metabolic abnormalities.
Having just one of these conditions doesn't mean someone has metabolic syndrome. However, any of these conditions increase the risk of serious diseases. Having more than one of these might increase the risk even more. Most of the disorders associated with metabolic syndrome have no symptoms, although a large waist circumference is a visible sign.
Several factors increase your risk of developing metabolic syndrome, including age, ethnicity, and obesity. Other factors can include an unhealthy lifestyle, a history of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), or a history of polycystic ovary syndrome.
The importance of recognizing metabolic syndrome lies in its associated increased risk for coronary heart disease, other types of cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, patients with this syndrome are also at an increased risk for stroke, liver diseases, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and other diseases. The good news is that metabolic syndrome can be controlled, largely with changes to the lifestyle, including a balanced diet, increased physical activity, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. For some, medication might be necessary. Regular check-ups are essential to monitor health and detect these conditions early on.