Metabolic Syndrome

“Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase
the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
These conditions include high blood pressure…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Metabolic Syndrome Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Insulin Resistance Syndrome
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Metabolic Syndrome X
  • Syndrome X

Definition

What is metabolic syndrome?

DotS the definition of metabolic syndrome may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, too much fat around the waist, and high cholesterol or triglyceride levels”.2

Conditions

What conditions may be associated with metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) elaborate on:

“You may have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following conditions.

  • A large waistline…
  • High blood pressure…
  • High blood sugar levels…
  • High blood triglycerides…
  • Low HDL cholesterol…”.3

Causes

What causes metabolic syndrome?

The American Heart Association (AHA) note:

“Underlying causes of metabolic syndrome include overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, physical inactivity, genetic factors and increasing age”.4

In Metabolic Syndrome: Check If You Are At Risk of Metabolic Syndrome, last reviewed 16 November 2023, the (United Kingdom) NHS explain:

“Metabolic syndrome is very common. It’s not known what causes it.

It is linked to insulin resistance. This is when your body does not respond to the hormone insulin properly. It may also be linked to having too much fat around your tummy.

You are more likely to get metabolic syndrome if you:

  • Are living with obesity
  • Eat a high-saturated-fat diet
  • Do not exercise much
  • Have a Hispanic or South Asian background
  • Smoke
  • Drink a lot of alcohol.

Your risk of getting metabolic syndrome also increases as you get older”.5

Common or Not

How common is metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic explain:

“The number of people with metabolic syndrome is growing. Up to one-third of U.S. adults have it”.6

Prevention

How can metabolic syndrome be prevented?

The AHA note:

“Although metabolic syndrome is a serious condition, you can reduce your risks significantly by losing weight; increasing your physical activity; eating a heart-healthy diet that’s rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fish; and working with your health care team to monitor and manage your blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure”.7

The Mayo clinic explain:

“Living a healthy lifestyle might prevent the conditions that cause metabolic syndrome. A healthy lifestyle includes:

  • Getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days
  • Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean protein and whole grains
  • Limiting saturated fat, sugar and salt in the diet
  • Being at a healthy weight
  • Not smoking”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have risk factors for metabolic syndrome?

If you think you have risk factors for metabolic syndrome, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor the Mayo Clinic also note:

“If you have at least one metabolic syndrome condition, such as high blood pressure, ask your healthcare professional about testing for other conditions that are part of the syndrome”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Metabolic Syndrome?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Metabolic Syndrome?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Metabolic Syndrome. Page Last Reviewed: 16 November 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 28 February 2026
  2. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: Overview. 01 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 28 February 2026
  3. Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 28 February 2026
  4. About Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Reviewed: 17 October 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 28 February 2026
  5. Metabolic Syndrome: Check If You Are At Risk of Metabolic Syndrome. Page Last Reviewed: 16 November 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 28 February 2026
  6. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: Overview. 01 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 28 February 2026
  7. About Metabolic Syndrome: What Are the Risk Factors? Last Reviewed: 17 October 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 28 February 2026
  8. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: Prevention. 01 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 28 February 2026
  9. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 01 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 28 February 2026
Topic Last Updated: 28 February 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 28 February 2026

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