Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together and significantly increase your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. You may be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following:
- Waist circumference exceeding 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women;
- High plasma triglycerides level—at least 150 mg/dL;
- Lowered plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level—less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women;
- Fasting plasma glucose level of at least l00 mg/dL;
- Systolic blood pressure (SBP) of at least 130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of at least 85 mmHg.
These conditions often share a common root: insulin resistance, where your body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin.
Metabolic syndrome is not just a label, it is an early warning sign that your metabolism is under strain. If left unaddressed, it can lead to:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke)
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Chronic inflammation
The good news: It is often preventable, and in many cases, reversible, with lifestyle changes.
PDF DOWNLOAD: Metabolic Syndrome Fact Sheet
