[Read online: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome ]
'Metabolic syndrome is common in the United States. About 1 in 3 adults have metabolic syndrome. The good news is that it is largely preventable. Knowing the risk
factors <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome/causes> and making healthy lifestyle changes <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome/treatment> can help you lower your chances of developing metabolic syndrome or the health problems it can cause <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome/living-with>. '
"Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise your risk of coronary heart disease <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease>, diabetes <https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes>, stroke <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/stroke>, and other serious health problems. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome.
"You may have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following conditions.
- *"A large waistline:* This is also called abdominal obesity or "having an apple shape." Extra fat in your stomach area is a bigger risk factor for heart disease than extra fat in other parts of your body.
- *High blood pressure <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure>:* If your blood pressure rises and stays high for a long time, it can damage your heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure can also cause plaque, a waxy substance, to build up in your arteries. Plaque can cause heart and blood vessel diseases such as heart attack or stroke.
- *High blood sugar levels <https://medlineplus.gov/hyperglycemia.html>external link <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome#>:* This can damage your blood vessels and raise your risk of getting blood clots <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome#>. Blood clots can cause heart and blood vessel diseases.
- *High blood triglycerides <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-triglycerides>:* Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. High levels of triglycerides can raise your levels of LDL cholesterol <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome#>, sometimes called bad cholesterol. This raises your risk of heart disease.
- *Low HDL cholesterol...
"Metabolic syndrome has several causes, and each affects the other. You can control some of these causes, such as your diet and physical activity levels. Other causes, such as your age and your genes, cannot be controlled...
HIFA profile: Richard Fitton is a retired family doctor - GP. Professional interests: Health literacy, patient partnership of trust and implementation of healthcare with professionals, family and public involvement in the prevention of modern lifestyle diseases, patients using access to professional records to overcome confidentiality barriers to care, patients as part of the policing of the use of their patient data
Email address: richardpeterfitton7 AT gmail.com
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