Metabolic Syndrome

“Metabolic syndrome is the medical term
for a combination of diabetes,
high blood pressure (hypertension) and obesity”.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 Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Metabolic syndrome is the medical term for a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and obesity”.2

The (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:

“Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome”.3

Conditions

What conditions may be associated with metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? the 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…”.4

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”.5

In Metabolic Syndrome: Causes and Risk Factors the NHLBI elaborate on:

“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”.6

Weight

Is weight a major cause of metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: Causes and Risk Factors – What Causes Metabolic Syndrome? the NHLBI note:

“A person’s weight is a major cause of metabolic syndrome. Fat cells, especially in your abdomen, can raise your levels of chemicals called free fatty acids. Free fatty acids can raise your levels of other chemicals and hormone that affect the way your body controls your blood sugar levels. Your body may not respond well to insulin, which is a hormone that controls how much sugar your muscles and organs absorb from your blood. This is called insulin resistance”.7

Common or Not

How common is metabolic syndrome?

In Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Metabolic syndrome is increasingly common, and up to one-third of U.S. adults have it”.8

In Metabolic Syndrome the NHS note:

“On their own, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity can damage your blood vessels, but having all 3 together is particularly dangerous.

They’re very common conditions that are linked, which explains why metabolic syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 3 older adults aged 50 or over in the UK”.9

Prevention

How can metabolic syndrome be prevented?

The AHA explain:

“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”.10

In Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome the NHLBI note:

Metabolic Syndrome“The good news is that it is largely preventable. Knowing the risk factors and making healthy lifestyle changes can help you lower your chances of developing metabolic syndrome or the health problems it can cause”.11

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 know you have at least one component of metabolic syndrome, ask your doctor whether you need testing for other components of the syndrome”.12

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: 03 December 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 14 February 2023
  2. Metabolic Syndrome. Page Last Reviewed: 03 December 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 14 February 2023
  3. Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated on: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 14 February 2023
  4. Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated on: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 14 February 2023
  5. About Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Reviewed: 25 March 2021. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 14 February 2023
  6. Metabolic Syndrome: Causes and Risk Factors. Last Updated on: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome/causes Accessed: 14 February 2023
  7. Metabolic Syndrome: Causes and Risk Factors – What Causes Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated on: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome/causes Accessed: 14 February 2023
  8. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 06 May 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 14 February 2023
  9. Metabolic Syndrome. Page Last Reviewed: 03 December 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metabolic-syndrome/ Accessed: 14 February 2023
  10. About Metabolic Syndrome: What Are the Risk Factors? Last Reviewed: 25 March 2021. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 14 February 2023
  11. Metabolic Syndrome: What Is Metabolic Syndrome? Last Updated on: 18 May 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome Accessed: 14 February 2023
  12. Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 06 May 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 Accessed: 14 February 2023
Topic Last Updated: 07 March 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 14 February 2023

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